Kano — Kano State governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has explained the reasons why his government spent over N1 billion on the rehabilitation of sports facilities at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano.

Responding to questions of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) during a visit to his office yesterday, the governor said his administration had committed the money on the stadium because the facilities would outlive the tournament.

He said many citizens of the state have raised eyebrows over the financial commitment but his government insisted that the logic behind the expenditure was that the image of the state would improve and posterity would also benefit.

"I want the facilities to outlive me so that posterity would benefit. This is not just meant for FIFA game alone but for Kano people. So whatever money is spent, it is done in the right direction. I believe the money committed into the stadium is a money well spent," he explained.

He also said the Kano Sub-seat of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) was also fully attended to by the state government as his government did not wait for the national LOC to execute projects.

Governor Shekarau further noted that the giant scoreboard installed at the stadium was the second best in the whole Africa, saying other facilities at the stadium and other places were also of good quality.

On the issue of maintenance of the facilities after the ongoing U-17 World Cup, Governor Shekarau revealed that his government would ensure that the maintenance was not left for non professionals to execute. "We will ensure that the stadium maintenance is given to professionals," he said.

While congratulating the teams, the officials, the LOC and journalists for the success of the tournament, the governor said his government had made adequate arrangement toward ensuring the visitors' safety and welfare.