The Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Enugu State, Barr Lloyd Ekweremadu, has disclosed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium has been completed and ready to host the Rangers Football Club, known as the Flying Antelopes, after formal approval was given by the Nigeria Professional Football League certifying the stadium as fit for use.
According to the commissioner, the stadium, abandoned for the past years, has now been reconstructed with all the modern facilities to qualify for use in line with global best practices, stressing that after two years and two months that the Rangers FC had been hosting other football clubs outside the state, the Flying Antelopes were back to their homeland and would be hosting the Shooting Stars Sports Club of Oyo State on Thursday, 28, December, 2023 at the stadium.
“It has been two years and two months since our darling Rangers FC last played at the Cathedral (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium). It is indeed a very Merry Christmas gift to us and to the people of Enugu State,” he said.
Barr. Ekweremadu, who also appreciated the Executive Governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah, for the support in ensuring that the lost glory of the stadium was restored within the timeline promised, said the completion was made possible because of the dedication of the administration to resuscitate sports by investing in the project.
“I want to thank the Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for pushing us and ensuring that we achieve this feat. I want to thank him for making everything that we needed available. I want to thank him for the encouragement and support. He promised, and he has delivered,” the commissioner added.
Similarly, while appreciating the people, Rangers FC fans as well as all sports lovers for their patience throughout the period works were ongoing; Ekweremadu enjoined them to continue to support the club which he described as “leading the pace” in the country’s football league.
He appealed to fans to come out in their numbers on Thursday to support the Flying Antelopes as they played against Shooting Stars SC.
“I want to thank the people of Enugu State for your support and I urge you to continue to support Rangers FC. On this note, Rangers FC will be playing against Shooting Stars SC on the 28th of December; that is Thursday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. So I invite all our people and everybody to come and support our own.
“Come and see Rangers return to the Cathedral and playing on their hometown. It is going to be a great day and a beautiful occasion,” he stressed.
