Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare has received commendation from Former Super Eagles players Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Amuneke for rehabilitating the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja and the Surulere National Stadium, Lagos after years of neglect.

According to Lawal “I am so excited to know that the Moshood Abiola National stadium is back to life. Each time I walk round the stadium, I’m impressed by the progress of going on work. This is how to go about managing sports infrastructure.”

According to the former Julius Berger of Lagos player “When I remember those games I played for the Super Eagles in the same stadium, I think the Minister’s initiative is good, but it will take a while to see the impact of the beautiful work.”

Speaking in the same vein, Former Africa footballer of the year Emmanuel Amuneke said “You can’t succeed in football without good pitches to play on. Poor infrastructure is part of the greatest undoing of most Africa countries not just Nigeria. But I am glad that the Minister knows the important role of good pitches in developing of football talents across the country. Am aware of the on going work at the Surulere stadium, Lagos , I heard he has completed the Daura mini stadium and the Moshood Abiola National stadium is close to completion. I urge all stakeholders to support the Minister’s dream. I have listened to him severally and I’m convinced he is on the right track of changing the narrative of our sports development ,” the former Barcelona player concluded.

The Minister stated this on Saturday during an inspection tour of the stadium.

He said the ultimatum became necessary as the ministry was ready to embark on serious maintenance and rehabilitation of the national sports edifice.

Places visited include Generator Room, Diesel Room, Conjunction Panel Room. Outdoor Hall of Fame, Water Fountain, Family Picnic slop, Designated entrance to the hall of fame strip and 4,000 space car park.

Other facilities visited during the tour include offices and game centres of Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Wrestling, Swimming and Tennis Federations.

Mr Sunday Dare was joined in the tour by Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Aduda and Stadium renovation partners from Federal capital territory Authority (FCDA).