Exclusive: Kano Township Stadium and the old rhetoric

Posted : 21 June 2023

Kano Township Stadium, later renamed Kano Pillars FC stadium, was strategically located in the heart of the Sabon Gari area of Kano State.

The stadium which evolved from being an open field metamorphosed into the centre for a cloud settling space for modern football artistry with a unique and interesting history during its hey days.

Kano Township Stadium established in 1949 is reputably the oldest soccer stadium both in Kano and by extension the entire Northern Nigeria which has hosted many historic football matches in the past.

The Kano Pillars stadium has a capacity of 10,000, until 2014 when it became the temporary home of El-Kanemi Warriors after their home of Maiduguri was deemed unsafe for matches.

Kano Pillars Stadium, formerly known as Kano Township Stadium, has a very robust and existing history back in the day as it was the only available open field for football competitions in Kano.

The magnificent Stadium represents the history of the initial formation and development of organized football tournaments in Kano State.

According to historical records, before the construction of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in 1964 in Kaduna, epic football matches were played at the Stadium, as Kano was the only city that had a spacious playground in the now defunct Northern Region.

The Stadium, according to a detailed report by one of the most respected sports writers that comes out of Northern Nigeria, late Clement Isaiah, in his sports article in the defunct New Nigeria Newspaper of Saturday, 5th February 1972, wrote, "But when Mr. R.G Adams, the then Local Authority in charge of Kano, conceived the idea which gave birth to Kano Township Stadium in 1949, hardly did he know that someday, the pitch would be surrounded by tall buildings and trees." Little did Mr. Clement know that in days leading to this day, some of the stadium’s parking space would be converted into shops.

Another interesting past record captured in the Kano township stadium was the football match encounter between Northern Nigeria Selected and a visiting Scottish 2nd Division team, Queen’s Park Rangers FC in 1964, which is almost 59 years ago.

Since the establishment of Kano Pillars Stadium, the state owned club has taken a firm control of it.

Visiting clubs dreaded to go to the stadium as they will be met with vociferous spectators who sing from the top of their larynx to intimidate the away fans and players.

Kano Pillars are so confident of the stadium so much that they do rely on home matches to remain unbeaten in league matches with hope of picking few wins or away draws for a successful campaign.

Speaking from Kano, a 73-year-old resident, Umar Kachina, Kano Pillars stadium represents the cradle of sports in the northern Nigeria.

"The stadium we know then is Kano Pillars, though the stadium is a bit small, all fans do find thier ways into the stadium.

"The stadium reminds us of the rich history of running on the side of the pitch, interestingly, the stadium gates are always open for us.

"Whenever we are returning from school, Kano Pillars will be our first home before we meet our parents.

Kachina added: "What makes Kano Pillars stadium more fun was the fact that there are shops and market places attached to the structure which also makes it a one-stop place for everything we need.

"Before the Sani Abacha Stadium rivaled the stadium, Kano Pillars hardly lost a match there, we will shout them down.

"Even some of the clubs dread coming to Kano especially Kano Pillars Stadium.

"Another thing that makes the stadium popular is that it is the venue for all grassroots football competitions, especially the school sports.

"In spite of the fact that the stadium design is old, it is ageless, as the stands were built for spectators' convenience.

"In recent time, the stadium has yet to receive the needed attention, maybe because of its rival, Sani Abacha Stadium, which has taken the shine away of the stadium,'' he said.

Some the Northern Nigeria Football Players that represent Northern region on that day in Kano Township Stadium include; Christopher Udumezue (Plateau), Samuel Garba Okoye (Plateau), Sidi Fagge (Kano), Audu Janwai (Kano), Abdulmalik Babamale (Zaria), Maman Na'iya (Kano), Sabo Minna (Minna, Niger), Benedict Sai (Benue), A.B Giwa (Kaduna) and Sunday Kedi (Kano).

Back then, Late Alh. Muhammadu Danwawu Fagge was the Northern Minister of Sports.

Unfortunately, in the present time, the stadium is a shadow of its former self.

The pitch of the Kano Pillars Stadium is nothing to write home about because it has worn out.

The dressing room and match officials rooms are also not well catered for, almost a breeding site for rodents and pests.

An anonymous analyst carpeted the Kano State Government over the decadence of the stadium describing it as unacceptable.

"Truly, we know the appeal that sport has in the young ones, yet, governments from time to time will often look away from providing the structure to encourage them.

"It is not out of place for a city like Kano to have like 10 stadia, but instead, the two that we are managing are not well maintained.

"Imagine if the Kano Pillars stadium is properly maintained, the level of development in Kano would have been astronomical.

"Our youths want to participate and actively engage in sport, but where are the infrastructure to support their dreams?

"The Kano State government needs to wake up and upgrade the stadium to the highest international standards which is not out of place for a rich state like Kano," he said.

Now that Kano Pillars have their main pitch in the Sani Abacha stadium, the stadium has been reduced to a pitch only good for street soccer, while the clubs at the lower rung of the league NLO are not also willing to play in the stadium because of its state.

The stadium is now almost in ruins as its spectators' stand have become dilapidated.

Also, there has not been a critical upgrade of the stadium from its old design to a new modern structure.

Exclusive: Kano Township Stadium and the old rhetoric

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