Nasarawa Utd raises alarm on stadium renovation

As soon as Nasarawa United topped group A of the National League and bagged a ticket to return to the NPL, the state government awarded a contract for the renovation of the Lafia stadium with emphasis on re-grassing of the playing turf. However, after several weeks, work is still ongoing and the chairman of Nasarawa […]

As soon as Nasarawa United topped group A of the National League and bagged a ticket to return to the NPL, the state government awarded a contract for the renovation of the Lafia stadium with emphasis on re-grassing of the playing turf.

However, after several weeks, work is still ongoing and the chairman of Nasarawa United said he is not comfortable with the pace of work expressing worry that it may not be completed in time for the new season.

Danladi told Feverpitch that if the club is to be saved the troubles of playing home away from home, those handling the renovation work must re-double their effort.

He said with what he has seen, there is nothing to inspire hope that the re-grassing would be completed in time for the club to play its home matches at the venue which hosted continental matches in the past.

“Our worry for now is the slow pace of work at the stadium. We know what we went through when we played last season away from home. It is our prayer that something urgent should be done to get the stadium ready before the commencement of the next season.

“I have to speak out now because if I don’t, tomorrow I would be blamed for keeping quiet even when things were going awry. Government is trying but those saddled with the responsibility must speed up the work”, he stated.

Danladi therefore advised that if the re-grassing is going to cause unnecessary delay, government should consider the option of laying artificial turf as it is the case with most of the stadia across the country.

He said: “In my candid opinion, I think an artificial turf will solve a lot of problems. Most of the NPL clubs play on astro-turf and if our pitch is converted into synthetic, it will still be in order. Even the Abuja National Stadium is on the verge of being converted into synthetic”.

Danladi commended the efforts of the sports loving governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and urged him to come to the aid of the club to enable it have a befitting venue in time for the new season.