BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Enugu State Chapter, has taken swipe on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the delay in completing renovation work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The Sports Journalists also said they were not happy with the general poor state of sports in the state.
They bemoaned the precarious situation of the State owned football club, Rangers International FC who are currently battling to avoid relegation in the ongoing 2023 abridged Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season
A communique issued after their Congress held in Enugu on Monday, signed by the chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Ignatius Okpara, reads:
“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.
“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,” part of the communique read.
“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 Association noted with dismay that the ugly development of 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 militating against the success of the club currently swimming at the relegation corridor of the NPFL”.
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 Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led Government coming to an end on may 29.
The Commissioner Youth and sports, Enugu State, Hon. Manfredo Nzekwe told journalists in Enugu in January, tgis year that the Stadium “will not be an abandoned project,” under Governor Ugwuanyi.
It could be recalled that Rangers have been playing without a Team Manager and a General Manager for the past two seasons after Amaobi Ezeaku and Davidson Owomi left the club.
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