Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has affirmed his administration's commitment to empowering young people and fostering economic growth in the state by strategically leveraging sports development. This declaration was made during a meeting with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Governor Radda stressed that sports should be utilized beyond mere recreation to cultivate careers, stimulate tourism, and create engagement opportunities for the youth. He emphasized the government’s dedication to repositioning sports as a crucial element in Katsina’s human capital and economic advancement strategy.

A primary outcome of the meeting was the agreement to promptly renovate and upgrade the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina to meet international standards. According to Governor Radda, this upgrade will enable the state to host national and international sporting events, providing a platform for young athletes to display their talents. Discussions also included a strategic alliance between the Katsina State Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Football Academy, and the NSC. This partnership aims to secure scholarship opportunities for talented Katsina youths to study and train in Hungary, an initiative Governor Radda described as a "bold step" towards unlocking global opportunities for local talents.

The governor and the NSC Chairman concurred on the necessity of hosting significant national sporting events in Katsina. This effort is intended to stimulate the local economy, promote grassroots participation in sports, and strengthen tourism and hospitality sectors across the state. Governor Radda was accompanied by key government officials, including the Chief of Staff, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Principal Private Secretary, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; the Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Khalil Nura Khalil; and the Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs, Mrs. Hadiza Maikudi.

This visit is part of Governor Radda’s wider plan to empower young people, unlock economic potential, and reinforce Katsina State’s position within Nigeria’s evolving sports development landscape. The administration aims to leverage sports as a tool for youth empowerment and economic advancement, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, strategic partnerships, and scholarship opportunities to achieve these goals.