Kefas Vows Total Overhaul of Sports, Plans Remodeling of Jolly Nyame, Ibrahim Sangari Stadia

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has vowed to overhaul the sports sector in the state, announcing plans to remodel the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo and reconstruct the Ibrahim Sangari Stadium in Wukari.

Kefas made the announcement on Saturday during the grand finale of the Jalingo Football Championship at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, where he also unveiled plans to strengthen the state’s sports development structures.

The governor said the contractor handling the remodeling of the Jolly Nyame Stadium would mobilise to site before the end of September, adding that the facility would be upgraded to meet modern standards capable of hosting national and international competitions.

“We are done with promises without action. Jolly Nyame Stadium will wear a new look, and it will meet modern standards that can host national and international competitions,” he said.

Kefas also announced plans to reconstruct the Ibrahim Sangari Stadium in Wukari, saying the town had a long sporting history dating back to the era of the defunct Benue-Plateau State and later Gongola State.

“It will therefore not be a misplaced priority to reconstruct Ibrahim Sangari Stadium for optimal sports performance,” the governor said.

He further directed the newly established Taraba State Sports Development Commission to adopt the Taraba State Youth Development Agency football team, which emerged as the runner-up in the Jalingo championship, as the state’s official team to start with.

The governor donated N5 million to the team to support its immediate sporting needs, training and participation in competitions.

The announcement came shortly after the final match of the championship, in which ATC Stars defeated the Taraba State Youth Development Agency football team 3-0 to lift the trophy.

Kefas personally presented the trophy to the winning ATC Stars at the end of the match.

The governor, who disclosed that he was once a footballer and played as a left winger, said his administration regarded sports as more than recreation, describing it as a tool for youth development, social cohesion and economic opportunity.

“I understand what our boys and girls need to succeed,” he said.

On the forthcoming Taraba State Sports Festival scheduled for November, Kefas said the event would be used to discover talents across the 16 local government areas and stimulate economic activity.

He directed the Sports Development Commission to begin preparations early for the festival and the state’s participation in the National Sports Festival in Enugu.

“With Agbu Kefas as governor, and with this commission in place, Taraba will not go to Enugu to participate. We will go to compete and to win,” he said.

Kefas also commended the Sports Development Commission for its activities since its establishment, pledging continued government support for its programmes.

The championship final was witnessed by government functionaries, sports stakeholders, youth groups and football enthusiasts from across the state.

The governor’s announcement was also welcomed by stakeholders from Wukari, who described the proposed reconstruction of the Ibrahim Sangari Stadium as a step towards restoring the town’s position in sports in Southern Taraba.