FIFA Expert Warns against Using Uyo Stadium Pitch for Athletics

Nigerian licensed FIFA agent and sports facility expert, Ebi Egbe, has cautioned owners of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium against using the Uyo stadium pitch for athletics events if they desired to keep the grass lush green and smooth.

Egbe was among the fans when Nigeria took on Ghana’s Black Meteors in the inaugural game of the stadium on Friday and he could not hide his excitement at the quality of the facility. But he insists the magnificent arena must be properly maintained.

“I think Governor Godswill Akpabio deserves all the accolades he is getting over the stadium, but the big challenge now is that of maintaining it. I am happy he has given the job to the construction outfit that built the stadium. But beyond that, to ensure that the turf remains green and smooth, they must not use it for athletics field events like hammer throw and javelin. 

“Using it for athletics field events will make the pitch uneven; it can equally cause the grass to wither no matter how much it is watered. Those managing the stadium should use it for track events and create a different area for field events when it comes to athletics,” he advised.

It would be recalled that world athletics governing body, IAAF, has certified the edifice for athletics events.
 The stadium boasts an eight lane tartan track and another six lane warm up track.

 The first athletics event at the arena is billed for later this month during the NNPC/Mobil sponsored secondary school athletics championship.‎