Former Super Eagles winger, Victor Ikpeba, at the weekend paid an unscheduled working visit to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to witness firsthand the ongoing transformation of the iconic sports facility.

The visit provided an opportunity for Ikpeba to assess the progress being made in upgrading the stadium’s infrastructure, playing surface, and overall sporting environment.

Speaking with The Guardian shortly after Ikpeba’s visit, the project coordinator, FIFA Facilities expert and Chief Executive Officer of Monichille Sports Management Company, Ebi Egbe, said the redevelopment of the stadium is expected to enhance sports development in Rivers State and positions the facility to host top-tier national and international competitions.

“Victor Ikpeba’s visit underscores the growing interest among Nigerian football stakeholders in the modernization of sports infrastructure across the country, as quality facilities remain essential for athletes’ development, fan experience, and the growth of professional football,” Egbe said.

According to Egbe, football pitches are not cheap to construct, especially when they are built to meet modern professional standards.

“A quality football pitch requires significant investment in earthworks and drainage systems to ensure proper water management, irrigation systems for consistent turf health, root-zone materials and turf establishment for natural grass pitches, artificial turf, shock pads, and infill materials for synthetic surfaces, floodlighting, perimeter fencing, and spectator facilities where required as well as regular maintenance equipment and skilled personnel to preserve playing quality,” he stated.

Speaking further, Egbe added; “For elite football, the pitch is not just grass; it is a highly engineered sports surface designed to provide consistent ball roll, player safety, proper traction, and durability throughout the season.

“This is why clubs, governments, and stadium owners must view pitch construction as a long term investment rather than an expense. A well constructed pitch can improve player performance, reduce injuries, attract major competitions, and enhance the overall football experience for players and fans alike.

“As the saying goes in modern football: great players deserve great playing surfaces. A world-class pitch is often the foundation of world class football,” Egbe stated.