Reacting to the called to His Excellency the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf to take away, relocate or destroy our only international stadium, the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano by a self-centered person called Gwamnati ikon Allah, the chairman of Kano State Coaches Council, Hon. Ibrahim Gwadabe has condemned the call and appealed to all football and sports stakeholders in the state to follow suit.
To Ikon Allah, the call had became necessary because of the unfortunate Yandaba brawls that perpetuates the stadium anytime or any day a football match in staged in the stadium.
Gwamnati ikon Allah as he is fondly called was said to have made this wrong and unpopular suggestion when he appeared in one of a political program of the Freedom Radio Kano some days ago and called on the government to destroy the stadium so as to end the continues Yandaba menace in the state
It was that madness from Ikon Allah that made Chairman Gwadabe to called on every football stakeholder in the state to condemn such a lunatic call because it is anti-development and anti-progress.
“It’s the right time for all sports stakeholders, especially football in Kano, to condemn and denounce the call to do away or destroy our only stadium in Kano because of Yandaba that fights after football matches in the stadium,” he said..
Gwadabe added that the call is highly condemnable and unfortunate because of the negative effect such a call will cause to the football and sports development in the state if allowed to scale through.
The Kano football coaches boss further observed that the caller seems to forget that thousands of our youth will be tendered idle which may increase their temptation to indulge in criminal activities and add more salt to the wound of Yandaba, apart from drawing the state backward as one of the leading state in football players and followers.
He urged sports lovers not to keep mute and allow such trash to happen because of the self centered thinking of some local politicians in the state.
Chairman Gwadabe who described the present government as sports loving is emphatic that God willing the government will not heed to that negative and anti-development call.
“We need more stadiums in the state but not to destroy the only international standard stadium we have’, he explained.
He lastly called on all football loving, followers and supporters in the state to come forward and talk because without good and more facilities there will be no sports development in the state.
After studying his words horoughly, I too and many others disassociated ourselves from such a madness and anti-sports development call.
Honestly, I see whosoever opened his mouth and made such a call as number one enemy of sports in the state because we have authorities that can deal with anybody found disturbing peace in the state.
To most of us, Ikon Allah should have directed his call to the state Commissioner of Police to do all he can do within his powers to end Yandaba practices not only in the stadium after matches but throughout the state.
He should have called for the arrest and arraignment of whoever is found wanting or perpetrating this evil act which is disturbing the peace of the state but not relocating or destroying the stadium.
Ikon Allah should know that the idea of locating a sports stadium/r any sports center depends on various factors, including urban planning, accessibility, and community needs.
Ikon Allah should know that four things are necessary when locating a stadium:- The first is accessibility which will make it easier for the public to access by walking, and cycling.
The second is amenities, which is the proximity to restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options.
The third is economic boost, which stimulates local businesses and economic growth and the last is urban revitalization, which can revitalize underutilized areas.
He and his like minds should also know that there are six factors to consider while locating a stadium which include:-
1. Demographics: Population density, age, income.
2. Infrastructure: Transportation, utilities, connectivity.
3. Environmental impact: Green spaces, noise pollution.
4. Economic benefits: Job creation, local business stimulation.
5. Community engagement: Public input, participation.
6. Safety and security: Crowd control, emergency services.
Ikon Allah should also know that by providing these accessible facilities for various sports and activities, stadiums also encourage people to engage in regular exercise, which has numerous health benefits.
Under Physical Fitness Benefits, stadium improves Heart Function: Which means regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Weight Management: Which also means engaging in sports helps burn calories, maintain weight, and reduce obesity.
Mental Well-being: Doing exercise stimulates endorphins, relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. And the last point is Muscle Strength: Here participating in sports improves muscle tone, coordination, and overall physical fitness.
Medical Rehabilitation Benefits: Entails Injury Recovery: Which sports stadiums often offer rehabilitation programs and facilities for injury recovery.
It also provides Physical Therapy: Here trained professionals provide guidance and support for individuals undergoing physical therapy.
Accessibility: Stadiums provide accessible facilities for people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Community Engagement is another advantage of a stadium nearby as there is going to be Social Interaction: Sports stadiums foster social connections, community engagement, and teamwork. Health Promotion: Stadiums often host health-related events, workshops, and seminars and Inspiration: Professional athletes and sports events inspire individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Therefore, by leveraging sports stadiums, communities can promote physical fitness, support medical rehabilitation, and foster a culture of wellness.
Ikon Allah for instance should be acquainted with the fact that England has numerous football stadiums, both within and outside city centers, hosting various football clubs.
Wembley Stadium (90,000 capacity) is London’s iconic national stadium; Emirates Stadium (60,000 capacity) is the Home to Arsenal FC, London; London Stadium (60,000 capacity) is West Ham United’s stadium, London; Stamford Bridge (41,837 capacity) is Chelsea FC’s home; also in London and the Valley (27,111 capacity) is Charlton Athletic’s stadium, London. These entire stadiums are located in London and not outside London.
He should also know Sports stadiums play a vital role in promoting physical fitness and medical rehabilitation among the public.
While calling for the relocation of the Sani Abacha Stadium from its present site to any other place is not a good idea and not a welcome idea, Ikon Allah and his like minds should know that there are ways to do away with all these nuisances from the Stadium Vicinity.
It is a well known fact that Sports stadiums, especially those in high-density areas like Kano, Nigeria, can be vulnerable to security breaches just like the one we are facing now.
As we have seen it, it may exploit these areas to clash with rivals who are disrupting public peace and stability.
So I have these strategies to overcome such challenges, ensuring a secure environment for sports enthusiasts.
a) Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance
1. Collaborate with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies to gather information on potential security threats.
2. Install CCTV cameras and monitoring systems around the stadium perimeter.
3. Conduct regular security sweeps and patrols.
b) Access Control and Screening
1. Implement strict access controls, using secure gates and checkpoints.
2. Screen spectators, staff, and vendors using metal detectors and bag checks.
3. Verify identities and authenticate tickets.
c) Security Personnel Deployment
1. Deploy trained security personnel, including police, civil defense, and private security guards.
2. Position security teams strategically around the stadium.
3. Ensure rapid response teams are on standby.
d) Community Engagement and Awareness
1. Engage with local communities, educating them on security concerns and protocols.
2. Encourage spectators to report suspicious activities.
3. Foster a culture of security awareness.
e) Infrastructure and Environmental Design
1. Ensure stadium design incorporates security features, such as secure entrances and exits.
2. Improve lighting around the stadium perimeter.
3. Remove hiding spots and encroachments.
f). Coordination and Communication
1. Establish a centralized command center for real-time monitoring and coordination.
2. Ensure effective communication between security agencies, stadium management, and emergency services.
3. Conduct regular security drills and training exercises.
g) Technology Integration
1. Leverage technology, such as biometric authentication and AI-powered surveillance.
2. Implement digital ticketing systems to reduce counterfeit tickets.
3. Utilize social media monitoring tools to track security-related conversations.
h) Post-Event Security
1. Maintain security presence after events to prevent looting or vandalism.
2. Ensure smooth egress of spectators.
3. Conduct thorough searches after events.
i) Continuous Improvement
1. Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability tests.
2. Gather feedback from spectators, staff, and security personnel.
3. Update security protocols and procedures based on lessons learned.
j) Collaboration and Information Sharing
1. Foster partnerships between stadium management, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies.
2. Share intelligence and best practices with other stadiums and security experts.
3. Participate in national and international security forums.
By implementing these strategies, Kano Stadium can minimize the risk of Yandaba attacks and ensure a secure, enjoyable experience for sports enthusiasts.
Therefore, Ikon Allah should be educated to know that Sani Abacha Stadiums and its likes are not only a football playing center but multiple purpose zones.
1. Hosting Sports Events: They are primarily being used for various sports such as football, baseball, athletics, and other competitive events.
2. Entertainment Venues: They are also being used for concerts, music festivals, and other entertainment shows.
3. Community Events: They serve as venues for local events, fairs, and community gatherings.
4. Economic Impact: They generate revenues through ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise.
5. Tourism Attraction: They attract tourists, boosting local economy and visibility.
6. Cultural Events: They are also being used for cultural and religious events or large public gatherings.
7. Education and Training: They served as training grounds for athletes and educational programmes related to sports and fitness.
8. Emergency Services: They can be repurposed as emergency shelters or coordination centers during disasters. COVID 19 cases in my mind
Stadiums are also used as a coordinating center for peaceful protest.
I am appealing to the state government to ignore that unwise and unpatriotic call by unpatriotic people just because of their selfish and anti-sports development desires. I am aware many have similar ideas just because they want to own land to build a shop.
