Amiesimaka Sports Complex Ready March, 2013

The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Mr Fred Igwe, has said that the new Multipurpose Sports Complex under construction in Port Harcourt, would be ready by March 2013.

Igwe told Tidesports in Lagos that work on some of the facilities had reached an advanced stage, saying he was hopeful that it would be completed early next year.

The state government is presently building a new complex to be named after ex-Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt.

‘Let me say we are building. We have not completed it. So, we are still building. It is true that we have completed about 90 per cent of work in where we call the Games Village, where you have other sports.”

“The work that is going on right now is the main bowl. The main bowl is about 75 per cent completed.

“And, even then, we used it for the 17th National Sports Festival, that is a very serious activity; the mini stadium which is by the side of the main bowl was in active use.

“Athletics and field events took place there and after the 17th National Sports Festival, we have held other competitions.

“We had the African junior swimming competition in December of last year and the AFN has come there for a competition. In fact, people come there often for competition.’’

Igwe said the state contingent to the festival trained at the complex before the game began.

The Rivers State Director of Sports, Mr Daobu Harry, said many sports federations had requested to use the complex next year for competitions.

“Since we came here, many federations have approached me to tell me that they would be bringing almost all their federation competitions to Port Harcourt because of the nature of the stadium in Port Harcourt.

“Of course, as you are aware also, the hockey pitch in Port Harcourt is Astro turf; so, the hockey federation has come twice, brought its national programmes to the stadium.

“So, many federations have been approaching us to fix their competitions – one competition or the other in Port Harcourt by next year.’’

Harry said the sports complex was an asset to the nation.