Cracked the glass ceiling fallout: Kwara State Stadium damaged – LMC declares
*Orders Kwara United to look for new venue
By Jimoh Sulyman
The League Management Company, LMC has condemned the distasteful condition of the Kwara State Stadium after the inspection of the sporting arena in preparation for the kick-off of the 2021/2022 NPFL season.
This was contained in a statement issued by the company and signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, on Thursday and address to the Chairman Kwara United Football Club.
The company noted that, they have inspected the stadium ahead of the new season, finding it lacking in a lot of areas, with much emphasis laid on the unusable state of the football pitch.
According to the company, “serious works need to be done on areas like the match officials dressing rooms, toilets, Television camera stands, and other upgrades etc. The Electronic scoreboard needs to be erected and put in good working condition.”
The company stated further that the football pitch has deteriorated to the extent of posing potential threat to users of the facility, declaring that the pitch needs to be changed.
“The Astro turf synthetic pitch of the stadium has completely deteriorated to the extent of posing potential threat to users of the facility. You therefore need to REPLACE THE PITCH.”
In further declaration, the company states its intention not to grant its approval for the usage of the said dilapidated stadium for the upcoming 2021/2022 season.
“In view of the above, we cannot grant approval for Kwara Township Stadium, Ilorin to host matches of the NPFL for the incoming 2021/2022 season until the damaged synthetic pitch is replaced”, the company said.
The LMC also urged United to provide an alternative venue for its home matches for the upcoming season, “You are therefore to indicate an alternate venue for your home matches.”
However there are reports that the Harmony Boys who are billed to take on Dakkada FC on the opening day of the season will be opting to hold their matches at the newly refurbished Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Kwara United are to feel an immediate effect of the stadium ban as they have been scheduled to play their first league game of the season at home.
Other stadia facing the axe are, Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano and the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna with more expected to join the list before the start of the season. A total of 11 league venues were deemed unfit for NPFL games before the start of the 2020/21 league season.
The League Management Company during their extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on Tuesday has approved the December 17 kickoff date for the league.
