Group Laments Neglect Of Warri Township Stadium By Okowa Govt.

-Says This Is A Big Minus To Sports Development

By Daniel Dafe, Abraka

The Convener, COALITION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE DELTA STATE, Senior Comrade Jefferson Oruoghorie, has condemned the obvious neglect of the Warri township stadium.

Oruoghorie who spoke during a press briefing of the group in Warri, noted that the Coalition For Good Governance is not only about political awareness of good governance but also has to do with the welfare of the Indigenes of the state.

Speaking on the rot at the Warri stadium, the Coalition boss also made it known to the members of the press the deteriorating state of the Warri Township stadium and how the present state government has abandoned it to its fate.

He said: “At the arrival of any government or administration, certain key promises are made to the electorates.

“Despite those mandates being stated, there are also other areas of development and public maintaining sectors that need to be attended to.”

He cited the Warri township stadium as a focal point.

The Coalition group complained bitterly about the devastating state of infrastructures, faulty equipments, unkempt environment of the stadium, dilapidated structures, unsafe security protocols at the stadium environment and dilapidated track facilities for field events.

He continued: “In previous years, the Warri Township stadium was a high ranking hub of sports entertainment for Indigenes and also a venue for most sports tournaments. It was the sports domain of famous football players such as Christian Obodo, Wilson Oruma (legends of 1998) etc. But now, it is so pathetic to be called a township stadium.”

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Comrade Jefferson stated that the problem of the Warri township stadium was government negligence towards sports involvement, embezzlement of sports project funds and lack of supervision by the government when approving funds for maintenance if at all included in the budget.”

Continuing, he described government’s actions regarding the stadium as “DISPLAY OF PUBLIC NEGLIGENCE.”

The group further decried the state of the stadium as wounds to dividends of democracy, noting that Warri stadium was pivotal to the existence of football awareness.

“Warri stands to be the home of football in Delta State and as such there is need to revamp the ugly situation that has bedeviled the stadium,” he said.

Speaking further, he appealed to the state government to look into the poor infrastructure of the stadium and find lasting solutions to the poor maintenance.

Speaking further, he said It will also be nice to return Warri Wolves Footbal club back to its origin, saying that Warri has raised lots of grassroot footballers who later metamorphosed to international footballers.

“It is our responsibility to inform the government of its lapses in governance and work to profile adequate solutions to issues raised. It is unhealthy for the government of Delta State to abandon such an Infrastructure like Warri Stadium. We are partners to development of our dear state and it is very pertinent to note that this area needs urgent and accelerated attention.

“Therefore, a critical review of Warri Stadium should be done as soon as possible to correct the menace and painful state of the stadium. All we advocate for is to bring back the glorious moments of Warri Stadium,” he added.