By NewsBits
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State Chapter, has lashed out at the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led Enugu State government for the purported neglect and failure to complete the renovation work going on at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and deplorable condition of sports generally in the state.
This came when the sports journalists criticised the dangerous condition of the Enugu State-owned football club, Rangers International FC, who are currently struggling to avoid relegation in the ongoing 2023 abridged Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season. The Enugu SWAN disclosed its disappointment in a communique issued at the end of its Congress in Enugu on Tuesday.
“SWAN Enugu State frowns at the general poor state of sports in Enugu state in the last five years, occasioned by the State Government’s lip service to the all-important sector.
Part of the communique read: “SWAN, also expressed displeasure over the continued use of Awka Stadium, Anambra State for the execution of Rangers Inter. FC home matches in the Nigeria Professional (Premier) Football League (NPFL), as a result of the failure of the Enugu State Government to complete the renovation work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium for over two seasons running.”
The association further expressed dismay following failure of the state government to appoint a Team Manager and a General Manager to oversee the affairs of Rangers International FC.
The Communique drafting Committee led the by former State Secretary, Ignatius Okpara of African Examiner online was also signed by Jude Ikpechukwu of Sun newspapers and Comrade Emma Nweze of Blueprint newspapers. It could be recalled that Rangers have been without a Team Manager and a General Manager for the past two seasons after the former occupiers Messrs Amaobi Ezeaku and Davidson Owomi left the club.
“The Association noted with dismay that the ugly development in the team executing it’s home matches in “a home away venue”, as well as non engagement of a General and Team mangers for the Flying Antelopes for over two seasons now, has been a major factor working against the success of the club currently swimming at the relegation corridor of the NPFL,” the Association said.
NewsBits learnt that the Enugu State Government awarded the contract for the renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium playing turf in October 2021. Almost two years now, there are indications that the stadium could be an abandoned project with the administration of Governor Ugwuanyi coming to an end on May 29.
Recall that the Commissioner Youth and sports, Enugu State, Hon. Manfredo Nzekwe had told journalists in Enugu in January that the Stadium “will not be an abandoned project,” under Governor Ugwuanyi.
