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By
Ebube Dike

Former Director General of the defunct National Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji has decried the present state of the the Abuja National Stadium, ascribing it to lack of will power on the part of the successive governments in maintenance of Sports Facilities in the country, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The former International who was reacting to the appalling state of the edifice that hosted the 2003 All African Games, raised on a Social Media platform said “I had a very warm relationship with Heinz Marotzke, once my Coach at Academicals level -1971/72 – and long thereafter, a consultant to my Office in his subsequent engagement as FIFA Consultant Africa.

“In one of his jovial moments, he said; “it is the burden of experience on the shoulders of old people that makes them bend when they walk. When I look back and see how opportunities to do the things right – in the sports sector- were “ignored” by top leaders in our government, I really feel sad. It “bends me.” Abuja stadium, by any standard, is a masterpiece and should have been provided with exceptional post construction maintenance policy regime”.

Continuing, the former Imo State Director of Sports said “that was one reason I, yes I, moved and ensured that a department of facilities was carved out from the omnibus sports development department. It was fore-seen that this department would, amongst others, be well funded so that it can maintain not only d Abuja Stadium, but all others across d country. It has not been so bad”

” After I convinced d Honourable Minister then Late Mark Aku, on the need to bring in private sector management for the stadium. He directed I prepare him a FEC Memo following his preliminary discussions thereon with President Olusegun Obasanjo. I prepared the Memo which he subsequently presented at FEC. Before this, I had had preliminary discussions with Juluis Berger PLC on its Management at the end of it, I think 2 or 3 year maintenance contract. I tied it up also with that of the Games Village. Juluis Berger was keen. That Memo was knocked out by one big voice then. We came back to the office and cried for Nigeria. What I saw way back in 2001/2002 was that facility is what is playing out today” he bemoaned.