By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Enyimba International Stadium Aba, and Abia Warriors Stadium Umuahia, with a cumulative value of over N7 billion if properly harnessed and maximally utilized, have the potentials of substantially contributing to the internally generated revenue of the State.
This is even as the Abia state Government said it has resolved to upscale the number of activities that are being presently hosted by the two sporting facilities for the purposes of tapping deeply into the huge sporting potentials of the State as well as opening up the economy for maximum returns on investments.
These were the grains of the address by the duo of Sir Nwaobilo Ananaba, the Abia State Commissioner for Youths and Sports and Dike Dinmiri, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Fifty 1 Alliance, a sports and entertainment asset management outfit at a joint press conference held in Umuahia on Wednesday July 3 ,2024 to unveil the novel Abia state Football Super League.
To actualize the Super League which will be played at the two giant sporting arenas in the state- Enyimba International Stadium and Abia Warriors stadium, Sir Ananaba informed that the State Government has entered into a Public Private partnership with Fifty 1 Alliance .
He noted that in the last one year, the Abia State Government has collaborated with Fifty 1 Alliance to successfully develop Table Tennis and Basketball leagues ,as well as a Boxing Tournament in the State.
“To ensure the smooth running of the Super league ,an eight-member league Management Committee, LMC, comprising the Hon. Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development,as Chairman,and membership drawn from Fifty 1 Alliance ,Club owners and experienced Sports and football administrators will be inaugurated today ( Wednesday July 3).
“The Super League will comprise one division only, called the Superlig, and there will be no promotion or relegation so as to enhance the value of the clubs as an asset to its owners with potential upside resale value .
“The Super league will have nine teams, three teams from each of the three Senatorial Zones in the State, with 72 matches to be played across each season.
“The Super league will have a prize money in the region of N20 million and N25 million to be shared by the clubs according to their finishing positions, at the end of the season . Subject to other revenues. there is scope for increase in the value of the prize pot.” Ananaba stated
According to the Commissioner,the organization of the Super league ,which will be done at no cost to State Government, will nevertheless assist the State in reducing youth unemployment,
through engagements in sports and training in Sports business and media productions.
Other expected benefits listed include increase in internally generated revenue for the state, a balance development for the state with capacity to raise the GDP to at least %5 in the short term, and investment in and maintenance of the of the state’s sporting assets .
Sir Ananaba, equally noted that the League will maximize the utilization of existing sporting facilities ,such as the two stadia ,and the proposed Airport and New Stadium in the state.
“Prevention of talent drain, out of Abia state, and the use of revenues accruing from the Super league for the maintenance of existing sporting facilities, were also highlighted as part of the benefits.
Further explaining the rationale behind the conceptualization of the Super league. Dimiri said it is part of a wider plan to maximize the two stadia and other sporting facilities in the state for the twin purposes of harnessing the abundant talents in the state ,and shore up the revenue profile of the Government.
“The value of Enyimba International Stadium is about N 4.7 billion .That of Abia Warriors Stadium is over N 2.5 billion. That is a huge investment.
“But you discover that with the stadia mainly being used during home league matches involving Enyimba and Abia Warriors Football clubs ,the two huge facilities are only being used for 19 days out of 365 days in a year.
“That is not good for the socio- economic development of the state. With the Super league to be played at the two stadia ,we will be increasing activities ,and also increasing the revenue profile of the state.
“The Super league will also serve the purpose of discovering and marketing of talents, which will be equally a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
“It is in tandem with the policy trust of the amiable Governor of Abia. state Dr Alex Otti’s administration to create an enabling environment for our talented youths to express their sporting and entertainment talents for reward” Dimiri noted
