Asaba ready to host African athletics, says Okowa

Preparatory to the hosting of the 2018 edition of African Senior Athletics Championship, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said Asaba is ready to host Africa.

The Governor, who inspected the 22,000 sitting capacity Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba, which will be used for the championship, assured that the complex would be ready for the championship billed to take place in August

Okowa, accompanied by top officials of the State’s Sports Commission was shown round the facilities by the former President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the championship, Chief Solomon Ogba.

“It is good that we are here today to see the level of work done. You can see that the contractor is working to deliver the job to international standards,” he said, adding: “what you are witnessing is the reconstruction of the stadium. It was redesigned to accommodate nine lanes and I am satisfied with the level of work done so far.”

He continued: “we are ready to host Africa because, the championship will make people from different parts of Africa to gather in our state. It will be a thing of joy for us to host Africa.”

“The benefits of hosting the championship cannot be quantified. Don’t forget sports is a unifying factor all over the world and that unity, peace and love for one another will be celebrated during the championship,” Governor Okowa said.The Governor inspected the grassing of the field, construction of the tartan tracks, the VIP lounges, training areas, swimming pool, among others.