Imo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has reiterated the desire of state Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma to develop sports facilities and equipment in the state to help sportsmen and women perform optimally.
Okoronkwo stated this on Monday when he went round on inspection tour of the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri and Old Stadium, Tetlow Road, Owerri to see firsthand the facilities at both stadia and what can be done to ensure the edifices get facelift.
The Commissioner was taking round by the Imo Sports Director, Sir Ferdinand Emeana accompanied by some of the staff of the Imo Sports Commission, he saw the dilapidated state of the practice pitch and Grasshopper Stadium which are the pitches of the Handball Team.
He also saw the dressing rooms of the Handball team which is not in good state. Other places visited were the shops at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, swimming pool, and the modern equipment inside the Dan Anyiam Stadium Indoor Sports Hall.
The workaholic Commissioner also visited the Old Stadium where he was also briefed about the facilities there among other things that serve as revenue generation to the stadium.
He expressed his reservations at the dilapidation of the stadiums facilities but exuded confidence that the needful would be done.
Honourable Okoronkwo made clarifications on the seeming abandoned Olympic size swimming pool: “Governor Uzodinma is passionate about the Olympic size swimming pool and it was this that made him to mobilize the contractor handling it.
“I will find out more and act on it accordingly. The swimming pool project has not been abandoned. It is important to His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma and it will be seen to it’s logical conclusion.
“His Excellency is committed to the development of sports in Imo State. He knows the role sports facilities and equipment play in that regard. But he doesn’t want the money given to be properly accounted for and utilised.”
The Commissioner requests to have a meeting with all the contractors handling projects at the Dan Anyiam stadium to know the extent of payment and while the projects are not ongoing.
Dignitaries at the facilities tour were the Imo Youth, Sports and Social Development Commissioner, Emeka Okoronkwo, Chief Press Secretary to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Chief Charles Ejiogu, Chief Security Officer, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Chris Nwadioha, Stadium Manager, Chris Onukwuwa, some members of the press among others.
