Sport Economy Drive: Wike Flags Off Multi-Sports Center in Kafe District

By Iyojo Ameh

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, has laid the foundation for a world-class multi-sports center at Kafe District, Abuja, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda on youth empowerment and sports development.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Wike explained that the project is designed to create opportunities for young Nigerians in a variety of sporting activities including basketball, volleyball, football, lawn tennis, squash, and table tennis.

He stressed that the federal government would collaborate with private investors to manage the facility to guarantee sustainability, adding that the center would be built to international standards. According to him, the project will serve as a hub to harness talent, generate employment, and strengthen Nigeria’s sports economy.

Wike warned contractors against shoddy work and urged them to deliver the first phase of the project by June 2026, ahead of President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

“This money is not for you to go and marry another wife or pay school fees,” Wike cautioned. “It is for you to finish this job on time and deliver quality. If you don’t do it well, that will be the end of your contract in the FCT.”

The Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, hailed the initiative as a “legacy of opportunity, unity, and excellence for generations unborn,” describing it as more than a physical structure but a symbol of hope that would reshape the sporting landscape of the nation’s capital.

Similarly, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, said the project aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes repositioning sports as an engine of economic growth. He highlighted the Commission’s “three R’s” strategy—reset, refocus, and relaunch—geared towards grassroots sports development, infrastructure expansion, and the creation of over three million jobs within the sports economy.

“Sports is not just entertainment, it is an economy. If we must secure our nation and empower our youth, we must invest massively in grassroots sports infrastructure,” Dikko stated, noting that similar projects are planned across the 36 states and the FCT.

On his part, Mr. Peter Otegwa, Managing Director of Tegwa Nigeria Limited, the company handling the project, pledged to deliver the center within the stipulated timeframe and to international standards.

“This multi-sports center will be a hub for excellence, talent discovery, and economic opportunity. We are committed to employing cutting-edge techniques, engaging local labor, and ensuring that this project stands the test of time,” he assured.

The Kafe Multi-Sports Center is expected to host both national and international competitions, serve as a training ground for young athletes, and enhance Abuja’s prospects of hosting global sporting events, including Nigeria’s recent bid to host the Commonwealth Games.