Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Dakkada FC and Nigeria National League, NNL club, Vandrezzer FC are set to make the newly constructed Eket Sports Stadium their home ground for the forthcoming league season.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel on Friday, September 30, 2022, commissioned the brand new stadium in the oil-rich Eket Local Government Area as part of activities to mark the 35th anniversary of the State.
The newly opened Eket Sports Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000, which also has an artificial grass football pitch, tartan tracks and car park was initiated and completed by the Udom Emmanuel’s administration will help boost sports development in the state.
The Stadium is the third standard sports facility in the State, one in each of the three Senatorial Districts. With the 30-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo being considered the best in Nigeria, the Eket Stadium is added to the already existing Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
Although the Uyo Township Stadium which is located in heart of the town is closed for business for the time being after renovation was abandoned by the State Government, the facility when work commences will become the fourth facility alongside others.
Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema were special guests at the inauguration ceremony.
The official opening was followed by an exhibition match between former Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Akwa United and Katsina United to mark the end of a week-long state celebration.
The Athletic NG understands that Dakkada FC who are currently sharing the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium with former NPFL champions, Akwa Ibom United, will relocate their base to Eket alongside Vandrezzer FC.
Recall that Vandrezzer FC relocated from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos State in 2020, citing economic reasons and are expected to return to the State nearly after two years and play at the Eket Sports Stadium.
Vandrezzer FC is Nigeria and West Africa’s most followed club side across all social media platforms, occupying the 16th position in Africa and 220th in the world.
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