A chance encounter last Saturday drew my attention to a project that could become another landmark in sports development in Kano State.
While travelling to Dunawa village in Makoda Local Government Area to condole with a neighbour who had lost his father, I noticed a stadium-like structure on the right-hand side of the road, a few metres before Dambatta town.
I continued my journey but resolved to stop and inspect the facility on my way back. I wanted to establish what it was and who was behind the project.
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After the condolence visit, I stopped in Dambatta to greet my former colleague at Triumph Publishing Company, Malam Babangida Abdu Dambatta. Following a brief visit, I continued my journey home.
When I arrived at the facility, I turned off the road and drove into the premises to have a closer look.
What greeted me was an impressive sight: a green artificial football pitch with a playing surface that appeared suitable for competitive football.
I was genuinely excited by what I saw. The pitch was the facility’s main attraction and appeared ready to host football matches.
However, beyond the impressive playing surface, some essential supporting facilities appeared inadequate or unfinished.
These included the perimeter fencing, spectator stands and other infrastructure needed to make the facility a fully functional stadium.
Determined to learn more, I approached some people who appeared to be working at the facility.
I hoped they could provide information about the project, its ownership and the vision behind its development.
After exchanging greetings with the workers, I asked to see the facility’s supervisor. I was informed that he was unavailable, but a young man named Nasiru Sha’aibu Aya (Canibaro) was called to attend to me.
When Nasiru Canibaro arrived, we exchanged pleasantries and introduced ourselves. I explained that I was a sports journalist and had been attracted by the impressive football pitch. I wanted to learn more about the project and its intended purpose.
Canibaro disclosed that the project was sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, popularly known as Maliya.
According to him, Barau acquired the premises and developed it to its present state.
He further explained that the facility was undergoing extensive renovation and, upon completion, was expected to serve as the home ground for Barau Football Club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches.
My observation confirmed his account, as various construction materials were on site, indicating that work was ongoing.
If completed with the necessary supporting infrastructure, the facility could become more than just a home ground for Barau FC.
It could provide a valuable venue for other teams and contribute to football development across Kano State and neighbouring states.
At this juncture, I urge Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to ensure that those responsible for the project expedite the renovation and complete the work within a reasonable timeframe.
While the ongoing efforts are commendable, unnecessary delays should be avoided to ensure that the facility serves its intended purpose as soon as possible.
The facility has considerable potential to contribute to football development in Kano State.
Once completed and equipped with the necessary supporting infrastructure, it could provide Barau FC with a suitable home ground for its NPFL matches while offering other teams an additional venue for training and competitive fixtures.
Beyond meeting the immediate needs of the clubs, a completed and functional facility could ease pressure on existing stadiums, improve access to quality football infrastructure and create more opportunities for players, coaches and other stakeholders.
It could also attract football-related activities to the area and contribute to the growth of the sport across Kano State and neighbouring states.
I believe the timely completion of this project should be a priority. The facility’s full value will be realised only when the renovation is completed and the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the demands of modern football.
This would enable Barau FC and other teams to make effective use of the facility while contributing meaningfully to football development in Kano State and beyond.
I also commend Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin for sponsoring this project and urge other political office holders across Kano State to emulate such initiatives by investing in sports facilities and other development projects that directly benefit their constituents and the wider community.
Such investments should go beyond political promises and focus on projects that address the needs of local communities and deliver lasting benefits.
Sports infrastructure, in particular, can play an important role in youth development, talent discovery and grassroots participation.
Quality stadiums and training grounds give aspiring athletes the opportunity to learn, train regularly and improve their skills under suitable conditions.
They also make sports more accessible to young people and encourage them to participate in organised sporting activities.
Such facilities can serve as centres for youth competitions, talent identification programmes, coaching clinics and other developmental activities.
They also provide coaches with opportunities to assess emerging players, while scouts and club representatives can identify promising talents who might otherwise remain unnoticed.
Through regular training sessions and organised competitions, young footballers can demonstrate their abilities and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of the game.
Beyond football, properly maintained sports facilities can accommodate other sporting activities, promote healthy lifestyles and instil discipline, teamwork and a spirit of fair competition among young people.
They can also create employment and business opportunities for coaches, sports administrators, vendors and other professionals whose livelihoods depend on sporting activities.
Most importantly, sustained investment in sports infrastructure can help bridge the gap between grassroots participation and professional competition.
With access to quality facilities, qualified coaches and organised competitions, talented young athletes stand a better chance of progressing from local competitions to state, national and international levels.
Sports infrastructure should therefore not be viewed merely as the construction of stadiums or playing grounds.
It is a long-term investment in youth development, talent discovery, employment generation and the future of sports.
When properly managed and maintained, such facilities can serve successive generations and contribute to the overall development of the state.
Finally, I wish to once again commend Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin for sponsoring this project.
I also urge him to consider incorporating a standard tartan track into any future expansion or upgrading of the stadium.
The addition of a tartan track would extend the facility’s use beyond football and create opportunities for the development of athletics and other track events.
It would provide athletes with a suitable venue for training and competitions, helping to identify and nurture talents in sprinting, middle- and long-distance running, hurdles and other track disciplines.
Such an addition would further enhance the value of the facility and make it a more comprehensive sports centre for Kano State.
It could also support the development of athletes capable of representing the state and Nigeria at national and international competitions.
With the right facilities, proper management and sustained investment, this project could become an important asset to Kano’s sporting community.
Its successful completion would not only provide a home ground for Barau FC but could also open new opportunities for grassroots football, athletics and other sporting activities.
For Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ensuring that the facility is completed to an appropriate standard and equipped to serve a wider sporting purpose would be a lasting contribution to sports development in Kano State.
