The Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed confidence that the Stephen Keshi Stadium will be ready way ahead of time before the 21st African Senior Athletics Championships begins.
Okowa made this remark after an inspection tour of the Stephen Keshi Stadium facilities in Asaba; where the continent ‘s top athletics event will be staged.
The governor and his entourage who were received by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the Asaba 2018, Chief Solomon Ogbba were shown around the edifice.
Okowa expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done so far but he, however, enjoined the contractors to speed up the work more, so the stadium can be fully ready by the end of June.
In his remarks, the LOC chairman assured that the deadline set would be achieved since the contractors are only putting finishing touches to the stadium and most of the ordered equipment have been delivered.
The 9-lane track, the floodlights, the poles, scoreboard and LED advert boards are all first of its kind in this part of the world.
“We are happy with the massive support that we have received from the Delta State government since the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA named us as the host of this prestigious event,” Ogba stated.
“As you can see, we have settled for only world-class equipment because our aim is to set the standard for others to follow. We know by the end of this championship; Delta State will be continually remembered for good across the continent and beyond,” the LOC Chairman added.
The 2018 African Senior Athletics Championship will come up from August 1-5 in Asaba, Delta State with as much as 52 African countries expected to take part.