The Rivers State Ministry of Sports is set to overhaul several key sports venues as part of a broader initiative to develop sports infrastructure in the state.
Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Christopher Green, revealed that prominent facilities such as the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Yakubu Gowon Stadium, and Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex (Civic Centre) are among those scheduled for renovation.
“The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will undergo massive renovation,” Barr. Green said, adding that the venue is expected to host international football games sanctioned by CAF and FIFA soon.
“The Yakubu Gowon Stadium will also undergo massive renovation. The Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre will also undergo massive renovation. The Basketball Stadium we have and other such facilities we have (in Rivers State) will also undergo massive renovation,” he added.
The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, which opened in 2015, will be receiving its first significant facelift. Known for its extensive amenities, the stadium includes a hockey pitch, shooting range, and 25 emergency exits, among other features, making it one of the most equipped in the country.
Equipped with an aquatic centre featuring two Olympic-sized swimming and diving pools, the stadium also has courts for basketball, tennis, and badminton, as well as handball courts and indoor sports halls. With a seating capacity of 38,000 and natural grass pitches, it is set to become an even more prominent venue for sporting events.
The stadium was officially opened on July 19, 2015, with a Rio Olympics men’s football qualifier between Nigeria and Congo, which saw Nigeria’s U23 team win 2-1.
Named after Rivers State’s former national footballer, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, the venue stands as a symbol of the state’s commitment to advancing sports.
