The Cross River State Governor Sen Bassey Edet Otu, said he is looking for investors to turn the Calabar stadium into a very beautiful sporting facility.
The Governor revealed this when he received a team of investors seeking partnership with the state for development of the sports housing facility at the U. J. Esuene stadium in Calabar.
While addressing the team he said, “We will be looking for an investor to partner with the Cross River State Government to turn the stadium into a very beautiful sporting facility.”
Again, “We want to collaborate with relevant agencies to scout for talents, home them, and launch them into the world of sports,” said Governor Otu.
Also, “I am particularly interested in talent hunting,” he added.
Governor Otu for instance, said Cross River state is abundantly blessed with talents capable of taking the sports world by storm.
He noted that they need to open their doors to mutually beneficial private sector partnerships to take their sports sector forward.
Again, he observed that the dynamics of time and cost content have made it crucial for the private sector to join and partner in the financing sports global standard.
Otu said as a state, sport is very important to them, hence, the football and other sports they enjoy today take a lot of investment to make it happen.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Comrade Nsa Gill, in a social media post on Wednesday June 19, 2024, said that the Governor pointed out that sports, all over the world, have developed from being a mere leisure activity to a money-spinning venture.
He said he thereafter urged the sports ministry and investment partners to speed up paperwork and swing into action, with a call on quality service delivery.
Meanwhile, the investment partner and Chief Executive Officer of SRHD Sports Management, Mr Daniel Damilola, said partnership between the two parties would go a long way to impacting the state through sports.
In addition , he said the housing facility, when completed would contribute to the state’s economy through revenue generation and employment.
He therefore, commended the governor for his visionary leadership and receptive disposition towards partnership for the development of the state.
Truth Live News learned that the event climaxed with a slight show and detailed analysis of the prospects of the redesigned 50-room housing facility, by the project consultant and Team Lead, Edulumen Nigeria Limited, Dr. Samjeh Oscar.
The consultant said the project, when completed and put to use will serve dual purposes of housing athletes and generating revenue for sports development.