…The site for many years now has been serving as a motor park for trailers, pits for petrol tankers, heavy duty trucks
…Adequate attention will be given to the facility to put it in very good shape – Onyedum
The Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ANSSDC), Hon. Patrick Onyedum has expressed disappointment over the state of the Ekwulobia Township Stadium and proposed Ogidi Stadium complex.
During the visit to Ekwulobia township stadium, Onyedum in company of ranking members of staff of the commission, embarked on a tour of the sports facilities, which for years has served as the only sporting complex in Aguata LGA.
According to the commission boss “The stadium in Aguata is already functional and fenced which for many years has served as the only sporting complex within the zone. What is lacking now is to erect spectator stands, cultivate grasses on areas that are sandy to restore the lush green surface of the pitch which will aid sporting events like football and other team events.
“We will also work on putting a standard tartan track for athletics event while also working on the points earmarked for handball and volleyball. The existing mini-house will also be given the necessary attention while the portion of the fence which is about to collapse will be reinforced,” he said.
Onyedum further disclosed that Ekwulobia township stadium is of interest to the government as the facility was created to serve Aguata Local Government and the entire Anambra South Senatorial zone. The commission boss opined that adequate attention will be given to the facility to put it in very good shape for hosting of intra and inter states sporting programmes in the near future.
ANN observed that the playing surface was mainly sandy with scattered grasses around its dimension, there were abandoned mini-housing units which hitherto served as ticket points and security post in the complex.Â
Also the only office block assigned to sports officers is inhabitable and in a state of disrepair with most sporting equipment and facilities stolen when some indigenes forcefully took over the initial three office blocks earmarked for sports officers.
The proposed Ogidi Stadium complex can no longer be regarded as a place earmarked for construction of sporting infrastructure as the site for many years now has been serving as a motor park for trailers, pits for petrol tankers, heavy duty trucks, earth moving machines and mechanic workshop for vehicles of all sorts.
On the proposed site for the Ogidi township stadium, the sports commission Chairman lamented it present state describing it as an eyesore and not fit to be regarded as a site for sporting complex.
