Uduaghan Renames Asaba Township Stadium After Keshi

Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has  renamed the Asaba Township Stadium to Stephen Keshi Stadium at a dinner organised in honour of the victorious Super Eagles in Asaba.

“The Asaba Township Stadium is hereby renamed Stephen Keshi Stadium.

“We are making efforts to put finishing touches to the stadium and I want to guarantee that the stadium will be ready in six months.

“Keshi is also to get N8 million as Chief Coach, a plot of land and an ultra modern duplex to be built by government in Asaba,’’ Uduaghan said at the reception.

Renaming the stadium was to honour Keshi who led the team to the 29th African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2013) glory.

Uduaghan also commended the humility, resilience and spiritual disposition of Keshi as the team’s chief coach.

The governor also announced that each player in the team would get N2.5 million, while the present and past Warri Wolves players in the team would also get additional N2.5 million each.

“Players of Delta origin are to get additional N2.5 million each and the coaching crew N4 million each, while the Supporters Club is to get N3 million and Warri Wolves FC N5 million,’’ he added.

Uduaghan lauded the Illah Community in Delta for producing great football talents like Keshi, Chief John Oganwu and Chief John Ojudoh and pledged to establish a football academy to harness the talents there.

He advised youths in the state to key into the state government’s Human Capital Development Agenda and the various youth empowerment programmes.

The governor added that government would positively channel their skills into rewarding ventures.

Responding, Keshi commended Uduaghan for his kind gesture in rewarding the team and renaming the Asaba Township Stadium after him.

He promised that the team would continuously work hard to win more laurels for the nation and appealed for more support from Nigerians.

In his remark, Oganwu, a member of the 1972 Green Eagles, commended the governor for his contributions to the growth of sports in Nigeria and for recognising past football heroes.

He advised the sports authorities to always consider the local content in sports development as well as encourage indigenous coaches to excel in their assignments.

He also urged them to emulate the Delta State Sports Template to ensure growth in sports development.

Oganwu, also lauded the state government for infrastructure development, especially the Asaba International Airport which he described as a world class project and urged the governor not to relent.