Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, a pacesetting sports centre

Posted : 09 August 2023

The year Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina was first constructed was sketchy, however, the Stadium is one of the few multi-sport complexes in Nigeria built to taste.

Naturally, Stadiums and sports venues are among the oldest forms of urban development as most of these sports centres are always strategically located in the heart of the cities, mainly to serve its purpose as connecting points for the most popular social activity in the world, which is ``Sports''

Stadiums for instance have far longer history than most of the public structures such as Railway stations, Airports, Cinema houses, Amusement parks among others, and stadium uses are far longer in history than the great medieval cathedrals.

According to records, sports is as old and ancient as human history while venues for sporting activities have history dated back as 210 BC where ancient and sports monuments such as the Stadiums at Olympia and the Colosseum in Rome are reputably popular ground for large spectatorships.

Also, ancient ballcourts are reported to be found across historical Mesoamerica, whilst in early China, space was set aside inside cities (and even inside palaces) for cuju, an early form of football. These historic venues attract millions of visitors every year, and the inclusion of many in the UNESCO World Heritage List highlights their unique cultural importance.

In the modern era, stadiums continue to wax stronger in its importance while it has also evolved from being mere entertainment centres to business ventures.

The multi-functional use of stadiums across the globe however made it so popular for social gathering aside its use for sporting activities. To underscore this, the Roman Amphitheatre of Arles is still in use as a stadium today.

Modern stadiums are now built to taste to accommodate other social engagements occupying vast areas of landmass with facilities such as car parks, food stalls, gymnastics center, health centre among others.

Stadiums now occupy bigger spaces with larger construction costs that usually and frequently soar above the estimates, and showpiece stadiums finished for major events have a tendency to fall into disuse and disrepair if adequate funds are not steadily provided for early completion.

For the people of the Northwestern State of Katsina, there is no better sports structure befitting the city than the beautiful Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, built to taste and a pacesetter sports complex.

Muhammadu Dikko Stadium built in the heart of Katsina is a state-owned sports centre built as all-seated 35, 000 capacity.

The stadium is built, owned and maintained by the Katsina State Government.

The construction of the a brand new edifice from a playground commenced in the early 1990 during the Military administration of Colonel John Madaki, although there was enough will power to put resources into the finishing of the stadium, it suffers an untoward neglect just like other sports centres before it in Nigeria.

Upon the return to democracy, the first democratically elected governor of Katsina, Alh Umaru Musa Yaradua resurrected the project to further expand the scope of works on the stadium, but he was unable to complete it after eight years in the saddle.

The next civilian administration of Gov. Shehu Shema however brought the ray of hope to the stadium as works were expedited on it while within the six years of his administration, the stadium named, Karkanda Stadium, was commissioned for use in 2013.

In 2016, there was a new nomenclature as Karkanda Stadium was later renamed Muhammadu Dikko Stadium after the Katsina's popular 20th century Emir who reigned from 1906 to 1944.

Although Katsina, due to its location in the far north and extreme border of Nigeria coupled with harsh weather, is disadvantaged to host high profile international sporting events, the stadium is not lacking in any of its facilities to be placed as world standard.

The terraces, spectators' stand, dressing rooms for visitors and home teams, restrooms, VIP stands, etc., are built up to international standard.

The floodlight was made with steel stadiums worthy of 21st century standard and did not lack flexibility, while the Astro turf pitch was well laid to show the immense potential for a free flow of football artistry whenever players line up to play on it.

The Muhammadu Dikko Stadium has been a good and formidable home ground to the local football club, Katsina United FC and while there was insurrection in the Northeast due to Boko Haram terrorism which almost made the state unliveable, and unfit for sporting activities, the home ground of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri was shifted from its base to Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.

El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri played thier home games in the stadium from 2015 to 2016 while the Boko Haram insurrection raged in the state.

Howbeit, Muhammadu Dikko Stadium as the home of the Changi Boys is so comfortable, so much that many away teams do dread to confront the vociferous and loud Katsina supporters.

The continuous use of Muhammadu Dikko Stadium has within its record time attracted huge investments around it as many businesses were open up around the stadium.

While history has proven it right that stadiums can drive urban development, and adapt to the culture of every age, Muhammadu Dikko Stadium has not come short of this, as the centre has played host to Nigeria's handball team camping activities.

Also, the stadium has attracted hotels, and other hospitality centres close to it.

Such is the state of Muhammadu Dikko Stadium built to taste worthy of a pacesetter sporting structure in the Northwestern part of Nigeria.

Although, the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium has its own bad side especially when the league body suspended the stadium from hosting league matches due to poor crowd control, yet, the stadium is worth its hype in terms of ranking as a world-class sports facility.

The League Management Company (LMC) on Jan. 17 pronounced ban on the football supporters in Katsina from watching all Katsina United FC home matches following the security breaches from home fans for verbally assaulting Katsina United officials.

The ban was contained in a letter sent to the Club Chairman Prince Abdulsamad Badaamasi dated Monday, 17th of January 2022.

According to the letter sent to the Chairman, LMC decided to take the disciplinary action following a report from the home game in Match Day 5 between Katsina United Fc and Gombe United Fc.

However, after serving out the ban, LMC did not hesitate to lift the ban imposed on Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina following a letter to the LMC by the Management of Katsina United FC assuring that security measures are now in place at the Stadium.

The club Chairman, Prince Abdulsamad Badamasi wrote a letter dated Feb. 19, 2022 asking for the return of the right of the stadium to hold its home matches.

In the letter, the LMC granted access for the club’s teeming supporters to watch Katsina United Fc Matchday 14 against Heartland FC on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

However, the LMC urged the management of Katsina United Fc to ensure that strict measures are in place, as the LMC will not relent in monitoring situations as the league matches progress.

The management of Katsina United FC in return appealed to fans to desist from any act that would tarnish the good image of the club by showing positive support to the club rather than discouraging the players.

The management assured of their readiness to listen to any meaningful bits of advice that would move the club forward and called on the supporters to be prayerful for the team to succeed in the overall development of football and sporting activities in the state.

In the years to come it is expected that Muhammadu Dikko Stadium will continue to play it's role in fulfilling its mandate as a fortress to Katsina United FC that has returned to the premier league after a successful outing at the recently concluded Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 in Asaba.

Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, a pacesetting sports centre

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics