KWARA STADIUM GETS LMC APPROVAL

|By Oluseyi Adedire|

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The League Management Company (LMC) has granted the Kwara State Stadium Complex a provisional approval to host the home matches of Kwara United Football Club, within the framework of the NPFL 2021/2022 season.

The body, in letter dated December 14th, 2021, and signed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar, the approval is conditional on the premise that the workload and programs in the stadium, especially the pitch would be reduced, and constantly maintained.

It would be recalled that the LMC, in a letter to Kwara United Football Club, dated December 9th, did not grant approval for the Kwara State Stadium Complex to host matches of the NPFL for the 2021/2022 season until the synthetic pitch is replaced, alongside other conditions.

Following this development, Kwara State government has commissioned Reform Sports West Africa, a sports Facility Construction Firm, to maintain the Kwara State Stadium Complex to the required standard, and equally, upgrade the Olofa Stadium in Offa, with the installation of synthetic grass, provision of new stands, dressing rooms, referees changing rooms, media tribune  and other facilities that will qualify it to host Grade A matches.

According to LMC's letter, "we have noted the amount of emergency work done to address the lapses enumerated, and also note that the Kwara state government immediately awarded the contract for the replacement of the pitch as well as that of the satellite stadium in Offa, which will serve as alternative venue when work starts on the Ilorin stadium.

"We envisaged all these processes will be concluded within the first quarter of 2022 and before the conclusion of first round matches.

"Consequently, a provisional approval is hereby granted for Kwara stadium to host Kwara United FC matches within the framework of the NPFL 2021/2022 season.

LMC however, warned that the pitch must be constantly maintained to keep it fit for purpose until the new pitch is installed, adding that it will continue to monitor proceedings.

"We will continue to monitor the stadium as well as others to ensure that standards are met and maintained.

The 2021/2022 NPFL begins this weekend, with Kwara United FC hosting Dakkada FC in the very first match of the season. The stadium will also host Niger Tornadoes home matches this season.