- Safiu Kehinde
Edo state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has lamented over the poor state of Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
Following his visit to the stadium located in Benin on Wednesday, Shaibu took to his X handle, expressing his displeasure over the poor state of the stadium’s facilities which he attributed to his one year absence from office.
He decried the poor management of the stadium and the underutilization of its facilities.
“As I stepped into the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium today, my heart bled as I was met with a scene that left me stunned and disheartened.
“The once-thriving sports facility, meticulously managed during my tenure, now lies in ruins. The sheer neglect and disregard for taxpayers’ money is appalling.
“The tartan track, football pitch, tennis court, waveless swimming pool, and surrounding areas have deteriorated alarmingly, defying comprehension.” Shaibu wrote.
The deputy governor further disclosed how a single concert left the stadium main bowl in shambles as he highlighted other unused facilities.
“A single concert, held in blatant disregard of contractual agreements, has voided the warranty and ravaged the main bowl. The consequences of this reckless decision are staggering.
“Just one year out on sabbatical, our iconic stadium, once a beacon for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts worldwide, now stands as a testament to poor maintenance and bureaucratic indifference.
“With the National Sports Festival looming, this facility should be buzzing with activity – training sessions, workshops, and seminars. Instead, it lies dormant.
“The Gymnasium Hall, once a pride of West Africa, fades into obscurity. Our state-of-the-art facility rusts away, abandoned and unused. This is not the vision we had for sports development in our state.
“Politics should never supersede the people’s interests. This stark reality check serves as a warning to those prioritizing ego over progress.
“The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium should be restored to former glory and restore sports excellence in our state.” Shaibu added