The Abia State Government has awarded contract for the reconstruction of the Umuahia Township Stadium in readiness for the kick-off of the 2015/16 Premier League season.
Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Emeka Inyama disclosed this at the club’s secretariat during an end-of-year get-together organized by the management and board for staff, supporters club and well-wishers.
He disclosed that MONIMICHELLE Sports Facility Construction Limited will handle the reconstruction project, assuring that work will be completed before the beginning of the season.
The chairman also announced that the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu will soon perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the club’s 40-hectare sports complex situated in Umuahia.
According to him the first phase of the project will begin next month and will include the construction of an ultra-modern office complex, a 40-room hostel for the players and two practicing pitches while the second phase will witness the construction of a multi-purpose hall, a three-star hotel, an ultra-modern housing estate and a swimming pool which will generate money for the club.
He said most of the job will be carried out in partnership with the private sector, pointing our talks have also reached an advanced stage with a Chinese firm in this regard.
The chairman disclosed that when finalized, the deal will run into millions of naira and save the government the inconveniences of sponsoring such huge projects.
He commended the state Governor for having the interest to carry the burden of sponsoring two premier league sides and a National League club despite all odds disclosing that Abia Warriors remains the only side without having money issues with either management, staff or players as the club has paid salary up to December, 2015 and is not owing any match allowance or bonuses.
Inyama said the club will continue to be run professionally in order to set the pace and urged the technical crew led by Kennedy Boboye to do its best to win the league or at least grab a continental ticket at the end of the season.
The ceremony according to Media Officer, Igwe Onuoha, was attended by members of the supporters club, the Abia State Director of Sports, Isaac Ogbonnaya Isaac, a representative of the sports Ministry, Boniface Arukwe, members of the Abia State football Association and the club’s supporters and well-wishers.