Infantino, Gusau, Mourinho, Zidane, Ronaldo, Woods to grace Chikun/Kajuru Constituency mini stadium project, Sports Academy - Ekene

Chairman House Committee on Sports, Ekene Abubakar Adams is set to fulfil his campaign promise of establishing a world-class Sports Academy in his constituency.

According to the lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, Honourable Adams informed that the Federation of International Football Association boss Gianni Infantino, Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, France and Brazil World Cup legends Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo de Lima, American golf icon Tiger Woods and Tennis star Serena Williams will grace the foundation laying stone of the sports facility.

Also to storm Kaduna on a yet-to-be-decided date are the President of Remo Stars Hon. Kunle Soname, President FC Ebedei, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, and other top stakeholders will be giving fatherly advice on how best the academy can strive.

African legends and Super Eagles legends Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto, Elhadji Diouf, Austin Okocha, Garba Lawal, Daniel Amokachi, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba and a host of others are expected to grace the event.

Recall, that His Excellency Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State gave his greenlight to the project with the allocation of 25 hectares of land for the establishment of a Mini Stadium to host a Sports Academy within the Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency and vowed to make Kaduna a hub for sports business.

This initiative stems from the efforts of Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams, whose House Committee had hit the ground running since the assumption of office.

The astute football administrator and former General Manager of high-flying Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Remo Stars disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has incorporated the project into its 2024 budget, signalling imminent commencement.

A delighted Adams said: "I want to thank Governor Uba Sani for this project, as he is a die-hard sports fan and shares the same vision of using sports to empower the youths in Kaduna State.

"We want to use School Sports to take the youths off the streets. The coming of the FIFA President, other top icons in sports and of course the former Super Eagles stars will change the orientation of our youths.

"The long-run effect of this will amount to a decline in banditry, kidnapping and hooliganism.

"The Sports Academy will go into partnership with top football clubs in Europe like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and others. In the next few weeks, the Sports Ministry will move to the site."

Meanwhile, the wife of Kaduna North Federal Constituency Rep Member and Chief Consultant of the project, Mrs Bello El-Rufai stated: "The Sports Academy will be an envy of all, as am giving my assurance that all hands will be on deck, including professionals to making sure we provide a world-class sports facility for all sports lovers in Kaduna State."

Recall that during his campaign leading up to the 2023 Elections, the Member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency pledged to establish a Sports Academy in the region, underscoring his commitment to fulfilling electoral promises.