Speaker Abass, Dikko, others to grace groundbreaking of NFF-FIFA players’ hostel in Abuja

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa are some of the guests expected on Tuesday to grace the groundbreaking exercise for the construction of the new Players’ Hostel and a number of new training pitches in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the leadership Federation president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

Others include the Ambassadors of the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco and former deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shaibu.

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According to a release from NFF’s Media Unit, the facility, a 68-room facility located in Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja is to be known as the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel

Sporting Tribune reports that the facility is a two-wing edifice, with A and B sections, and has a total of 62 single rooms, four suites and two executive suites.

The release also added that two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass) will also be done alongside the new hostel. Plans have also been concluded for the reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch, sitting terraces for spectators, two dressing rooms for players (each accommodating 27 players at a time) and two dressing rooms for officials will also be done.

An elated NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “The NFF is excited about the Players’ Hostel and new training pitches. It is a transformational project around our national teams and we are grateful to FIFA for providing the funds for these amazing facilities.

“Right from the inception of the present NFF administration, we were very clear on what we wanted to do with our FIFA Forward 3.0 funds. Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management, it will substantially reduce expenditure in these areas and enable us to commit more funds to grassroots development programs.”

FIFA’s Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director (Africa), Gelson Fernandes, while commenting on the facility said, “The main objective of the Forward Programme is to ensure top-quality infrastructure that drives football development worldwide. The NFF’s transformation of its Technical Centre is a perfect example, upgrading training pitches, building modern accommodation and creating a true home for the national teams; this project is a brilliant one for Nigeria football.

“We’re proud to support and to work alongside the NFF, not only with funding but also by sharing expertise to make this project a reality. Nigeria lives and breathes football, and FIFA is committed to helping the game grow as much as we can.”

Also being expected the grand occasion are the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap

Also invited are the Chairmen of sports committees in the Senate and House of Representatives; NOC President, Engineer Habu Gumel; former sports ministers Sunday Dare and John Enoh; Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade; former NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi; former NFF scribes Ambassador Fanny Amun and Barrister Musa Amadu and 10 legends of Nigeria football namely former senior team captains Olusegun Odegbami, Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, Ahmed Musa, Precious Dede and Stella Mbachu.

The construction, to be completed in 24 months, is funded by FIFA through its FIFA Forward 3.0 program.