SWAN, Ondo Govt Disagree Over Renovation Of Sports Complex

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ondo State and the state government have disagreed over the renovation of the Akure Township stadium.

The sports writers had condemned in strong terms the state of the stadium, which has made the state-owned club, Sunshine Stars play their home matches in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

In a communique signed by Jacob Akintunde, Olasunkanmi Elujoba, and Eniola Olurankinse, the association also condemned, in strong terms, the action of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development through the Sports Council for not sponsoring any member of the association to the just concluded National Youths Games in Asaba, Delta State.

It read, “That members condemned the high level of neglect of sports associations at the sports council, especially for not being able to access their respective budget to attend competitions and the current leadership of the ministry of sports not being able to help them get approvals after pronouncements of dissolution of committees at the sports council.

“The Congress is not happy with the abandonment of the renovation project of the Akure Stadium (Ondo State Sports Complex), three months after the contract had been awarded by the state government, thereby making economic activities to be grounded within and around the sports complex.

“The Congress, however, called on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to visit the Sports Complex himself and see the next line of action as future champions do not have access to facilities to train, especially with his promise to build a new stadium, the old one should be maintained.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should appoint a board for the Ondo State Sports Council like he did for the football agency to engender all-round development, as all sports associations are performing at their lowest ebb, and this will allow the Ministry of Sports to focus more on policy making.”

However, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Saka-Yusuf Ogunleye, said Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved the renovation of the sports complex and its football pitch, and the contractor has since been mobilized.

Ogunleye said the contractor has since moved to the site with the construction work ongoing at the hockey pitch, where the old synthetic surface at the football pitch will be used.

His words “The contractor has started work since his mobilisation, removing the old surface for the hockey pitch and ready to lay a new one having been procured. The executive Governor, a man of his word, is committed to sports development in our dear Sunshine State.

“As a reputable stakeholder, SWAN is expected to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and work in tandem to achieve together. Again, the doors of my ministry are opened for your association to seek relevant information so you can be abreast of government policies and programs in sports development.

“The recent performance of our athletes at the youth games in Asaba, Delta state could not have been achieved without the great support of our Governor. Note that once there is an ongoing construction/renovation at any site, it takes time for sporting activities to commence, even at the National Stadium.”