Benue Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Tiza Imojime, says that the Nigerian National League (NNL) side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, will soon start playing its home matches at McCarty Stadium, Makurdi.
Lobi Stars had been playing its home matches at different venues like Lafia City Stadium, Bauchi and Enugu stadia because of the ongoing renovation of both the Aper Aku Stadium and McCarty Stadium.
But Imojime assured Lobi Stars supporters that their darling team will start playing its home games in Makurdi.
The commissioner gave the assurance on Tuesday when he inspected the progress of work at the McCarthy Stadium.
He said that the NNL board gave conditions which, if met, Lobi will return to Makurdi and begin playing their matches.
“We are making arrangements to get payloaders and tippers to come and commence filling the pit.
“The pit was excavated for pillars to be mounted for spectators, but because we are dealing with the urgency of returning the club to our home, we are poised to sand fill the place to give it a background, where people can watch matches for now.
“This will enable us to begin renovation of the stadium holistically in piecemeal, where construction will be going on and spectators will at the same time be on the other side of the stadium, watching matches conveniently without hitches.
“For example, the camp where the players live will be converted to a stand for spectators, whereby the players’ camp will still be on the ground while spectators will be sitting up to watch football matches.
“That is to say, for now we will be working strategically, where on certain sides construction will be ongoing and on other sides, spectators can stand or sit to watch their matches,” he said.
He announced that the Makurdi-based side would be playing its next away NNL match on Thursday in Kano and expressed hope that their next home match would be played at the McCarthy Stadium.
Imojime lauded Benue fans of Lobi for their patience and urged them to brace up, as their darling team would return home soon.
“Playing home matches away in Lafia does not give me the in-depth fulfilment, and I can’t compare the comfort that I can get in Lafia to that which I will get at home in Makurdi.
“I want to assure you that Lobi will come back home, and as long as Hyacinth Alia is the governor and I the Youth, Sports and Creativity Commissioner, that will happen, and very soon,” he emphasised.