FIFA sports facilities expert, Ebi Egbe, has cautioned Bayelsa State government on the proposed investment of N100 billion in a 30,000 capacity stadium, saying that spending heavily on a stadium does not guarantee FIFA or CAF approval.

“Investing over ₦100 billion in a 30,000-capacity stadium is not, in itself, a bad decision,” Egbe said in a message to The Guardian, yesterday. “Nigeria still has very few stadiums that genuinely meet CAF Category 3 and Category 4 standards, even though a Category 2 stadium can also host FIFA and CAF approval.

“The real test is the quality of the core football infrastructure on the pitch, drainage, floodlighting, dressing rooms, media and broadcast facilities, safety and security systems, medical facilities, spectator amenities, and every other requirement under international stadium regulations.

“I sincerely hope these critical main bowl facilities are fully captured within the proposed over ₦100 billion plus budget for the new Bayelsa Stadium.

“Secondly, the 30,000 capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading football venues, has not been fully utilized,” he stated.

He noted that the Godswill Akpabio Stadium’s natural grass pitch needs urgent re-grassing and sustained maintenance to preserve elite standards

Egbe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Monimitchelle Sports Facility construction company, advise that Bayelsa should not repeat the experience of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where a world class facility has struggled for years to realise its full potential.
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“A stadium’s true legacy is not measured by cost or architectural beauty, but by its ability to consistently host top level football, develop local talent, attract national and international competitions, stimulate economic activity, and remain sustainable for decades.

“As a Bayelsan and a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure sector, with our corporate headquarters in Yenagoa, my sincere prayer is that this project is completed within Governor Douye Diri’s tenure.

“Time is critical, because no one can predict the priorities of the next administration. If a future government adopts a different vision or places less emphasis on sports infrastructure, the Bayelsa Stadium project could become another abandoned or underutilised public asset.

“At this point, I respectfully appeal to all Bayelsans, regardless of political affiliation, to support Governor Douye Diri in completing both the Bayelsa Stadium and the Samson Siasia Stadium projects.”

Egbe maintained that sports infrastructure is a long term investment, whose benefits go beyond politics and beyond any single administration.

“Completing these projects now will create a lasting legacy for future generations and further position Bayelsa State, as a leading destination for sports development in Nigeria,” he stated