Enyimba 25,000-seater stadium ready in April

The contractor handling the pitch installation at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, MoniMichelle Sports Facilities Construction Limited, has promised to complete the job before the middle of April.
The company’s Facility Director, Ebi Egbe, however told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Tuesday that this was dependent on availability of funds to complete the installation.

He said the company regretted its inability to complete the project before Enyimba International Football Club of Aba began their home matches in the 2016 CAF Champions League campaign.


“Except for payment delays, the project will be completed before the middle of April to enable the team play their next home match on it,’’ Egbe said.

He said while he started work on the stadium with no contract award letter or funding, he was still happy his dream of giving Abia a befitting pitch was being realised.

“The Enyimba pitch is 100 per cent natural GEO technology pitch. It has zero abrasion, 100 pe cent foot stability and natural ball behaviour.

“It also increases energy restitution of the players.


“Another unique feature of GEO technology is that the pitch does not overheat during high temperatures and it is non-toxic.

“It keeps the temperature of the pitch lower than a rubber in-fill. It’s also odour-free too,” the contractor said.

He said the new pitch would encourage large crowds to watch matches at the stadium and enhance television coverage of matches because the pitch is television-friendly.

Egbe added that the turf’s maintenance would not be expensive, considering the fact that it is a 25,000-seater stadium which can generate the money to maintain it.

“Presently, we have completed the most difficult part of the work, which is the surfacing of the civil work.

“We are trying to meet the 90-day delivery deadline and, if we get the money we are expecting, it will take us less time to do the installation.

“In less than 20 days from now, it will be completed. We are concentrating on getting the job delivered,” he said.

(NAN)