Bashir Idris, Secretary of the Bauchi State Football Association, on Saturday assured that the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi has one of the best medical facilities in the country.
Idris told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi that the facility can host not only Nigeria Professional Football League matches, but also international competitions.
He described the incident that occurred with one of the Nasarawa Football Club players who slumped and died during a match due to lack of medical facilities as “a sad and shameful development for the NPFL.”
He said: “Here at the ATBS in Bauchi, we have all the medical facilities required.
“We have a medical centre where the facilities are located and even people from the host communities come to the stadium for medical attention.
“We have no doubt that the ATBS can host any match, because whatever is required are available.”
The Football Association secretary also said the stadium’s medical team, which comprises of doctors, nurses and Red Cross members work day and night, especially during tournaments, attending to all teams.
Idris added: “Other state sports authorities should come to Bauchi State and borrow a leaf in terms or medical facilities.
“We are appealing to other stadium management bodies in the country to come to Bauchi to learn from us.”
Idris however pointed out that it was the duty of the Match Commissioner of every game to inspect the medical facilities before the commencement of any match or competition.
He observed that it was very unfortunate to see that some stadiums were still using outdated facilities during international competitions.
He said: “It is left to the Match Commissioner and other officials to ensure the availability of medical facilities before the commencement of any match to ensure the safety of players during matches or competitions.”
The secretary urged the League Management Company, organisers of NPFL matches, as well as their Match Commissioners to ensure compliance with medical requirements before any match.
“They should ensure that any host team or stadium that lacks adequate medical facilities should not be allowed to host matches,” he said.
NAN reports that the ATBS has two ambulances and two motorised stretchers as well as admission wards.
NAN.
