The Taraba State government has estimated the sum of N34 billion for a complete rehabilitation of the ultra modern Jolly Nyame stadium.
The dilapidated state of the 16 year old complex which was as a result of neglect by successive administrations in the state, had been the subject of media scrutiny for some time now.
The Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Joseph Joshua, while speaking with journalists at the sidelines of the National Beach Volleyball Star Tour Phase Two in Jalingo, disclosed that the original contractors had given an estimate of N34 billion for a complete rehabilitation of the facility.
“A month ago, I came here with the people who built the stadium. We went round the stadium. We are supposed to have an executive meeting this morning where I would present the cost for the renovation of the stadium to the Executive Council for approval for us to commence renovation. I am assuring you, by the special grace of God, we would fix this stadium to be one of the best in the country.
“The swimming pool is not of the Olympic standard. We want to construct an Olympic size swimming pool. And we are going to upgrade the main bowl to a FIFA certified pitch. We would put a roof where spectators can sit and watch football comfortably. His Excellency asked us to upgrade the hotel to a three star standard.
“They have given us a bill of N34 billion to renovate the entire sports complex, not just the football pitch,” he disclosed.
The Commissioner further said, when the current government came on board, sports was at its lowest ebb and that they were trying to “revive sports in the state”.
He regretted the under performance of team Taraba at the recent National Sports Festival, saying it was due to the lack of readiness of the state.
Speaking on the potentials of sports in Taraba, the North East Zonal Representative, Nigeria Volley Ball Federation (NVBF), DCP Stephen Hasso (rtd), said Taraba had all the facilities to hold major tournaments and urged the government to request for hosting rights of the next National Sports Festival.
“Taraba State has all the facilities for all the sports. I would suggest to the Taraba government, if they can request to host the National Sports Festival because they have all the facilities. Everything they need, they have it here,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Governor Agbu Kefas was presented with an award by the NVBF. The award was presented to the governor by the President, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr. Musa Nimrod.
The President, who was represented by DCP Stephen Hasso (rtd), said the award was in recognition of the governor’s support for the game of volleyball.
“We have gone to other places and it was not easy for us to be sponsored. Taraba has become a volleyball state for us because two years ago, we had a championship for division two and that was the first. This year again we asked for beach volleyball,” he stated.
Equally speaking, the governor who was represented by the Sports Commissioner, Joseph Joshua, thanked the NVBF for choosing Taraba to host the tournament and also appreciated them for the award given to the governor.
