National Staduim Project:‘ICC Specifications Were Not Followed’

The immediate-past Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) administration did not follow the International Cricket Council (ICC) specifications in constructing the Abuja National Stadium ovals, NCF President Yahaya Ukwenya, said yesterday.
Ukwenya, who came into office in July told Tidesports source in Abuja that the issue had delayed the completion of the ovals.
The construction of two ovals at the Abuja National Stadium was initiated by the Emeka Onyeama-led immediate-past NCF board with the aim of hosting international tournaments in the country.
Ukwenya, however, said part of the work on the ovals was not properly done, adding that the federation would need to revisit the job.
“The truth of the matter is that the ovals were not constructed according to ICC standard and a lot of due processes were not followed when the work started.
“They are specifications for international pitches, in terms of size, the wicket and back-up facilities like the pavilion, changing rooms, et cetera.
“When we bidded to host the ICC Africa Regional Qualifiers, the international body sent their personnel and they visited both the Lagos and Abuja ovals.
“They opted for Lagos because it was the closest to an international facility in terms of size and otherwise, though the Lagos oval is undergoing renovation at the moment.
“So, a lot still has to be done on the ovals at the Abuja stadium,” he said.
The president also said the federation had invited an ICC expert from South Africa to perform a survey of the ovals in Abuja and make recommendations to aid the pitches’ completion.
“An expert from South Africa will be in Nigeria on April 4 to look at the ovals and give recommendations — in terms of the road map, what should be done and the necessary technical expertise needed.
“We do not want to jump back on completing the job and be told to go back to the beginning,” he added.