Speaking in Calabar while inspecting sports facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Dalung advised state governors to stop the use of sport facilities in their state for events such as weddings, carnivals, political campaign, thanksgivings and others.

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"The turf of the football pitch here appears to be in bad shape and there is evidence that it was in good shape before but along the line, something happened," Dalung said.

"So, I suggest that football pitches across the country be exclusively used for those things that they are meant for and not to be subjected to other events that could destroy the turf.

"Invariably, what I am suggesting is that, state governments should not subject sports facilities to other events such as marriage, wedding, Carnival, cultural events and so on."

Further speaking on Sunday while delivering his opening address at the Extra Ordinary Meeting of the National Council on Sports (NCS), Dalung, also charged State Commissioners of Sports to get their various state governors to invest in sports development

"Any government which fails to invest in the development of sports and facilities will harvest crime,’’ the minister was quoted as saying in a press statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Nneka Ikem-Anibeze.