Uba Sani has made our dreams come true – Amokachi
Governor Uba Sani Honors Olympic Gold Medalists with Land Grants and Street Naming
Kaduna, Nigeria — Governor Uba Sani has made good on a 30-year-old promise by awarding plots of land to three gold medalists from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, all of whom hail from Kaduna State. In addition, the governor announced that streets will be named in honor of the athletes who were not already commemorated.
During a press briefing following an inspection of the ongoing renovations at Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Tuesday, former Nigerian footballer Daniel Amokachi emphasized the unfulfilled promises made to the Dream Team by both federal and state governments after their Olympic victory. “It is heartening to see this long-overdue recognition finally being realized,” he said, referring to the land grants.
Amokachi, along with fellow Olympians Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro, received the land as part of the government’s commitment to honoring the contributions of veteran athletes. He expressed gratitude for the governor’s efforts, stating, “We lack the words to convey our thanks and appreciate the assurance to reward veteran footballers and coaches during their lifetimes.”
Garba Lawal, another former player and the ex-general manager of Kaduna United Football Club, spoke highly of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, describing it as a world-class facility set to meet FIFA standards upon completion. “This will allow the Super Eagles to train right here at home, a wonderful development,” he remarked, predicting an unveiling of the stadium by November.
Emmanuel Babayaro echoed Lawal’s sentiments, noting the importance of the governor’s initiatives for football in Kaduna State. “Football is thriving again like we used to know it,” he said, expressing amazement at the progress of the stadium renovations. Babayaro initially questioned the legitimacy of the land offer, but subsequently praised the governor’s sincerity.
In his remarks, Governor Sani acknowledged the contributions of seasoned athletes and coaches to the development of sports in Kaduna State. He highlighted Kaduna’s status as a leading footballing region in Nigeria, noting the state’s history of producing international sports stars.
The governor underscored the deteriorating conditions of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium prior to renovations. He informed President Bola Tinubu of his plans to restore the facility to a modern standard, stating, “When completed, Ahmadu Bello Stadium will have a capacity of 33,000 seats and will feature a FIFA-standard pitch.”
Sani pointed out that while Nigeria lacks sufficient CAF and FIFA-standard stadiums, the completion of Ahmadu Bello Stadium will address this gap. He elaborated on the economic benefits of investing in sports, citing examples of revenue generated during international events such as the World Cup and the CAF/AFCON tournament.
As renovation efforts continue, Kaduna State remains committed to enhancing its sporting infrastructure, recognizing football’s potential to drive economic growth and community engagement.
