By Asiegbu Ogbonna Asiegbu
Spectators at the fiesta
The National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged DELTA 2022 has commenced in Asaba, Delta State with athletes from the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory converging to compete for honours in what stakeholders have branded Nigeria’s Olympics.
Imo contingent is expected to be part of the sporting fiesta which will mark the end of Delta hosting a major sporting meet under the leadership of outgoing Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.
It promises to be an exciting outing for top sporting states like Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Oyo and of course host Delta.
Wonder why Imo which used to be traditional sporting state was not including among the listed top contenders for glory, laurels and honour? The answer is simple, sports is literally dead in the state as you read this piece.
At a time like this Ndi-Imo or Imolites will remember Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha the immediate past governor of the state whose eight (8) months reign transformed the state into a sports or sporting centre.
Reports suggest less than two days into the National Sports Festival, athletes and coaches representing Imo in Delta 2022 are crying and lamenting in Asaba wishing that the hand of time could be turned to 2019 when Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha pampered and gave them a pride of place.
An athlete who wants to remain anonymous for obvious fear of victimization said, “This is not the best time to represent Imo State as far as sports is concerned. Poor preparation, poor welfare and clear lack of interest displayed by those in charge. We just came here because we really have no option.”
A coach who equally wants to remain anonymous for similar reason, added, “Under the administration of Ihedioha, we were treated like true professionals. Sports was a cardinal pillar of his administration and we were given attention, respect and our dues financially. We were adequately motivated. The same cannot be said of the present administration.”
Recall that Hon. Sunday Dare the Minister for Youths and Sports Development nicknamed Imo HOME OF SPORTS when he visited the state to flag off the three-day Sports Summit organized by the Fan Ndubuoke led Imo Sports Commission in November 2019.
Dare seized the opportunity to go round sports facilities under construction and some under renovation in Imo State. From the Dan Anyiam Stadium to Grasshoppers Int’l Handball Stadium to the site of the Indoor Sports Hall being constructed then down to the brand-new gymnasium under also construction.
When the Sports Minister learnt that all top athletes of Imo origin who were poached by other states following the comatose state of sports had returned to Imo to support the good works of Ihedioha given his transparent leadership and declaration to use sports to pilot his government, the Minister couldn’t help but agree that Sports was not only safe in Imo, but it is a leading sector under Ihedioha.
Imo State contingent for Edo 2020 National Sports Festival had and enjoyed good preparation. Elite athletes and amateurs got their training grants in preparation for NSF. They all praised Ihedioha as their Messiah who has come to wipe away their tears and give them solid platform to boost their respective beats, propel them to win medals and above all place them on the stable flight of realizing them potentials and ambitions as sports professionals.
Ihedioha through Imo Sports Commission organized Imo Sports Festival in December 2019 to help identify, nurture and present more athletes for Imo contingent in Edo 2020.
Though, Ihedioha left office through the Supreme Court judgement that brought in his successor Senator Hope Uzodinma, but the former had already prepared grounds for Team Imo to excel. Did the team excel, sure it did when compared to past results and performances.
Before Edo 2020, Imo State has been crawling or swimming at the ebb of every final table of national sporting meets including the National Sports Festival. But at the end of Edo 2020, Imo frog leaped to a decent 10th place finish on the log.
It must be said at this point that, Team Imo was earmarked to finish within the top 5 range considering the level of preparation and plans. But as soon as Ihedioha was removed from office, most of the elite athletes who had returned earlier from other states left Imo believing that their hopes, dreams and aspirations have been dashed by the Supreme Court ruling. The exodus of the elite athletes affected Team Imo in Edo 2020 National Sports Festival.
Notwithstanding the 10th place finish was however branded “Ihedioha’s Magic”.
Little wonder his name is now on every lip of athletes and coaches in Owerri as Delta 2022 commences. Sports stakeholders have been praying for Ihedioha’s return as governor come 2024 even as they wish he is the governor at a time like this.
The hues and cries of the athletes and coaches are understood given the relegation of sports to the background by the present administration.
Most regrettably is the conversion of a building within the Dan Anyiam Stadium complex meant to house Imo Sports Commission to the campaign office of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election.
Sports stakeholders in Imo sneeze at the shameful gesture of the governor which has belittled sports and made them almost unwanted. They say, the body language of the present government is clearly that they (stakeholders) are not wanted in Imo State.
Suffice this to imply that sports is literally dead in Imo and only it’s funeral is awaited.
