Why we’re upgrading sports facilities – Kannike

Speaking to Trustsports, the commissioner said the need to upgrade sporting facilities in the state became apparent when the current administration discovered that the performance of athletes was hampered by obsolete sporting facilities. Kannike disclosed that already money running into billions of naira have been expended on the upgrading of the swimming pool, volleyball and […]

Speaking to Trustsports, the commissioner said the need to upgrade sporting facilities in the state became apparent when the current administration discovered that the performance of athletes was hampered by obsolete sporting facilities.

Kannike disclosed that already money running into billions of naira have been expended on the upgrading of the swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, the main bowl of the stadium, as well as the  indoor sports hall.

His words: “When this government came to power in 2003, it discovered that there was decay of sporting infrastructure. We found out that most of the facilities constructed in the era of the military administration were not improved upon and appropriately maintained. Therefore, we set up a blueprint to ensure that the infrastructure is put back in shape.

 “We started by looking at the swimming pool that we have. We upgraded it to an Olympic standard swimming pool which makes it one of the best in the country. We also have renovated our twin volleyball and basketball courts to ensure they comply with international standard. Right now, we are doing a total upgrading of the stadium from an 11, 0000 capacity to 18,000 capacity stadium and that is costing the government a whooping sum of N1.3 b. We are looking at astro-turf pitch, a geometric scoreboard, looking at floodlight and IAAF certified tartan track. We are also going to renovate our indoor sports hall”.

The commissioner maintained that so much money is being spent on renovation and construction of facilities because availability of standard facilities is an avenue for expression of talent by budding athletes.

Kannike noted that with the upgrading of facilities, the state stadium complex is a beehive of sporting activities as Kwara State has since hosted  many national competitions.