Former Super Eagles player and 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Daniel Amokachi, says Gov. Uba Sani has fulfilled a 30 year old promise made to the Atlanta Olympic champions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna by Mallam Ibrahim Musa, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Uba Sani.
According to the statement, Amokachi made the disclosure after inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
He recalled that after Nigeria’s historic Olympic gold medal victory in 1996, the Federal and state governments made several promises to the victorious team.
According to him, many of the promises remained unfulfilled for three decades until the present administration in Kaduna State took action.
Amokachi said Sani had allocated plots of land to him, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro, while also directing that streets be named after other veterans.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for recognising and rewarding veteran footballers and coaches during their lifetimes.
“We lack the words to thank the governor for this kind gesture and for his commitment to rewarding our veterans,” Amokachi said.
Similarly, Garba Lawal, another 1996 Olympic gold medallist, described the ongoing Ahmadu Bello Stadium project as world class and capable of meeting FIFA standards.
“Now, Super Eagles will not have to go to Uyo to train. This one is right here at my doorstep,” Lawal said.
He expressed optimism that the project would be completed and unveiled by November, describing it as a wonderful development for Kaduna State.
Another Olympic gold medallist, Emmanuel Babayaro, said Sani had united Kaduna’s football family and restored the sport to its former glory.
Babayaro, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, said he was impressed by the quality of work ongoing at the stadium.
He recalled initially doubting the land allocation when Lawal first sent him the documents, wondering whether it was connected to a political event.
“Nothing of such happened. He gave us those lands because he is that awesome,” Babayaro said.
He thanked the governor for fulfilling a promise made three decades ago without demanding political publicity or personal benefits.
Responding, Gov. Sani thanked the football veterans, coaches and administrators for their contributions to the development of sports and football in Kaduna State.
The governor said Kaduna remained one of Nigeria’s leading football states, having produced numerous players who achieved international recognition.
“Kaduna is the leading footballing state in Nigeria. We have produced more stars who have gone out of the country,” he said.
Sani said his administration was committed to restoring Kaduna’s former glory in sports through massive investment in sporting infrastructure.
He said the last CAF football tournament played at Ahmadu Bello Stadium was in 2016, when the Super Eagles faced Egypt.
According to him, the stadium had deteriorated badly, prompting him to appeal to President Bola Tinubu for its transfer to Kaduna State.
Sani said the old 16,000-capacity stadium, constructed in 1964, would be replaced with a modern facility capable of accommodating 33,000 spectators.
He said the stadium would feature a hybrid pitch combining natural grass and synthetic surfaces to meet international standards.
“When completed, Ahmadu Bello Stadium will be the only stadium in Nigeria with a FIFA-standard pitch,” Sani said.
The governor said Kaduna was investing heavily in sports because football had significant economic potential through hospitality, transportation and other sectors.
He cited the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, saying the tournament generated about 20 billion dollars to 24 billion dollars.
Sani also cited Morocco’s hosting of the CAF African Cup of Nations, saying the country generated about 1.4 billion dollars from the tournament.
He said Kaduna would continue investing in sports infrastructure to create opportunities for athletes and stimulate economic development across the state.