The Enugu State Government has signed an agreement with Del-York Group (“Del-York”) to develop an ultra-modern Multipurpose Sports, Education and Entertainment hub to be known as the 042 Arena and Entertainment Park.
The signing ceremony, which took place on Friday, 19th January 2024, at the Government House in Enugu, had in attendance the Governor of Enugu State, the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General, Commissioners for Investments and Trade, Tourism, Youths and Sports, other top government officials and representatives of the Del-York Group, amongst others.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Peter Mbah, the governor of the State, expressed his excitement for the project and the partnership with Del-York Group, describing it as a game- changer for the State.
He remarked:
“We are on a mission to make Enugu State a preferred destination for investment and this project signals the triumph of the investment spirit of the State. Working with our strategic Joint Venture partners the Del-York Group, we will achieve our mandate of becoming the investment capital of Nigeria. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing all the necessary support alongside creating an enabling environment to make the project a resounding success.”
“We have a rich heritage of Sports and Entertainment of which Enugu has undoubtedly produced some of Nigeria’s sporting legends and is known as the home of entertainment. We cannot use the solutions of the past to solve the problems of the future. This is why we are deliberate in using our strengths- our history, talent and passion in sports and entertainment; to drive Enugu State towards a strong, resilient and prosperous tomorrow,” he added.
The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park, at its core, will feature state-of-the-art facilities that caters to the training and developments needs of athletes of different categories, from the amateurs in youth programs, to the more established international professionals.
This all- inclusive facility will also provide modern event spaces accommodating to athletes and spectators alike.
In addition to sport-specific venues and training facilities, the Enugu State development will contain athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine center, and a performance center focused on the specific strength, conditioning, and nutritional needs of top athletes.
The development will also incorporate training programs in related disciplines like sports medicine, sports marketing, and athlete agency to support the new generation of athletes and international competitions.
The project will introduce a comprehensive ecosystem essential for the development and growth of the entertainment industry in Enugu State.
By leveraging the vibrant legacy of the industry, this project will create a thriving center that fosters collaboration, innovation, and the entertainment.
The project is expected to create thousands of jobs for the people of Enugu State and attract investors and a surge of tourists to the State.
It will also provide a platform for the youth to showcase their talents, promoting sports and youth development in the State and the entire South-East region.
Dr. Linus Idahosa, the CEO of Del-York Group, also expressed his company’s commitment to delivering a world-class sports and entertainment hub that will be a heritage for Enugu State and the South Eastern region as a whole.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration through Public Private Partnerships in the development of projects that deliver immense value to the people at the grassroot.
He mentioned:
“We understand and embrace the power of sports and the creative arts as unifiers and as vehicles for economic development for Enugu State. This vision was the inspiration for this transformational project- a Public Private Partnership between the Enugu State Government, Del-York Group and other strategic partners. We believe that building on the strengths of Enugu, and placing the rich heritage of sports and entertainment within the State at the epicenter of its development strategy, the possibilities of the future are limitless.”
With this development, Enugu State is set to become a major destination for sports and entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa. This laudable undertaking holds so much potential in driving the State’s investment goals.
