Emma Elekwa
Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Anambra State, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba has expressed dismay over the ugly current situations of some stadiums across the state.
Agha Mba who made the observation during an inspection tour of the stadia in company of key staff of the ministry attributed the situation to lack of maintainance and looting of valuables in the facilities.
He however assured soon changes to culminate in grassroot sports development through Public-Private-Community-Partnership.
“We call on stakeholders to join hands with government to make sports in the state not just a mere entrainment but a talent discovery mechanism.
“We also challenged communities to take ownership of sport facilities in their various domains.
“Anambra State has abundance of talents in various sports and the sure way to harness those talents is through grassroots sports development.
Sporting facilities visited
Among the sporting facilities visited were Otuocha Stadium, Anambra East Council Area, Chuba Ikpeazu stadium and Godwin Achebe stadium both in Onitsha, Ogidi stadium, new 2000 capacity Ekwulobia stadium, Country Club as well as Awka City Stadium.
The Commissioner was taken round the Otuocha Stadium by President General of Aguleri, Chike Nwabia, Sports Organising Secretary for the Local Government, Bridget Onyekwe alongside others.
The team which later moved to the Chuba Ikpeazu stadium and Godwin Achebe stadium both in Onitsha were led by Justina Okoli alongside others took the Commissioner round the facilities at both stadia.
At the Ogidi stadium, the Commissioner was displeased with the facility which has been converted to mechanic workshop for articulated vehicles as well as den of suspected criminals as well as
The last visits were the new 2000 capacity Ekwulobia stadium and Country Club as well as the Awka City Stadium, where the stadium managers took the Commissioner and his team round the stadium and facilities.
