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*National Sports Commission Moves to Rehabilitate New Jos Stadium, Mangu Sports Facilities*
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled plans to rehabilitate critical sporting facilities at the New Jos Stadium and Mangu Stadium in Plateau State as part of its nationwide intervention programme aimed at improving sports infrastructure and promoting grassroots talent development.
The commission disclosed this during an inspection and project handover visit to Plateau State, where its representatives met with stadium management and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the commencement of rehabilitation works.
Speaking exclusively to SSI Media, Quantity Surveyor (QS) Elijah Waje of the National Sports Commission explained that the delegation was in Jos on behalf of the Chairman, Director-General and Director of the Facilities Department of the commission to formally introduce the contractor handling the intervention project.
According to Waje, the visit was also intended to establish working relationships between the contractor, stadium management and the Plateau State Government to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
“We are here representing our National Chairman, Director-General and the Director of the Facilities Department of the National Sports Commission. The commission has approved interventions to improve facilities at the New Jos Stadium. We came with the contractor to hand over the project, introduce him to the stadium management and link him up with the Plateau State Government,” he explained.
Waje clarified that the immediate intervention was not intended to complete the entire stadium but to rehabilitate existing facilities currently being used by athletes, football teams and members of the public.
He identified the deteriorating playing pitch, inadequate water supply and changing rooms as some of the critical areas requiring attention.
“We are not here to complete the stadium for now. We are looking at what is already on the ground because people and communities are using these facilities. Our responsibility is to see how we can improve what is available,” he stated.
“The pitch is one of the most important components of any stadium, and looking at its present condition, it has deteriorated. The commission wants to see what can be done to improve the pitch, address water challenges and upgrade the changing rooms and other facilities.”
Responding to questions on whether the intervention was specifically designed to enable Nigeria Premier Football League side Plateau United to continue playing its home matches at the stadium, Waje stressed that the initiative was broader than the interests of a single football club.
According to him, the National Sports Commission is committed to improving sporting infrastructure for the benefit of communities, athletes and emerging talents across Nigeria.
“It is not just about Plateau United. It is about the citizens. The Sports Commission is concerned with talent development and sports activities across the country. Our intervention is not limited to Plateau State or Plateau United,” he emphasised.
Speaking on the proposed rehabilitation of Mangu Stadium, the NSC official disclosed that the commission would prioritise the playing pitch and water supply system.
“For Mangu Stadium, the intervention we have for now is the pitch and water. We are looking at how to improve the playing surface and ensure better water availability within the facility,” Waje said.
He further revealed that the commission was considering interventions at other sporting facilities across Plateau State, including Pankshin, while confirming that the current visit covered facilities in Mangu and the University of Jos.
Waje explained that the commission’s broader objective was to identify existing sports infrastructure requiring urgent attention and improve such facilities to encourage participation in sporting activities.
The proposed intervention is expected to provide improved playing conditions for athletes, enhance community access to sporting facilities and strengthen grassroots sports development in Plateau State.
For sports enthusiasts and stakeholders in Jos and surrounding communities, the initiative represents renewed hope for the rehabilitation of facilities that have experienced years of deterioration.
SSI Media reports that the National Sports Commission’s intervention signals a renewed commitment to upgrading existing sports infrastructure and creating opportunities for talent development across Plateau State and beyond.
