Athletics Championship:Untold Story Of Asaba 2018

In recent times, Nigeria has made significant impact in terms of sports development in the continent as she has hosted Africa twice this year in different Championships and tournaments with world class facilities.
February this year, Port Harcourt, the Garden City of Nigeria hosted African Wrestling Championship (AWC ) where over 54 countries participated, that was adjudged the best organised in the history of that championship.
Barely six months later, Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, also hosted the just-concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, with about 52 countries in attendance, that commenced 1st August and ended yesterday.
No doubt, this seems to be the major tournament hosted by the Delta State Government since after her creation, it is also on record that the state athletes are arguably the best in Nigeria.
This assertion is following the impressive performance of athletes from the State in various sports festivals and tournaments held in and outside the country.
To buttress this, last September, the state won the Nigeria Youth Games (NYG) held in Ilorin for the second time at a trot. In fact, one could say that they have one of the most organised sports commissions and programmes in Nigeria.
The governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa deserved commendation for hosting Africa in midst of fluctuation of Federal allocation.
Besides, the bold step he took to reconstruct the stadium that now looks like brand new one, with world class athletics facilities is also commendable.
Even at that, the author of this article believed that the state government was in haste to make a statement in Africa, by hosting the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship.
It is generally accepted that in every competition or tournament, there are expectations of negligible flaws, but apparently the organistion of this Championship held in Asaba, is nothing to write home about.
In some occasions, the ceremonial committee could not hoist the countries flags for the medalists. The next thing you will hear is, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry we were unable to hoist the flags for the winners”.
Again, journalists who came to cover the event from different states were moving from one place to another, like ants searching for food, just to be accredited to have access to the stadium and some restricted areas.
It was utmost surprising to most journalists who it did their accreditation online to notice that the online accreditation was a mirage.
Unfortunately, the media chief of the event whose name was given as Olukayode Thomas could never be seen to clarify issues that were faced with journalists, when called. Thomas was always ready to answer you with these words: “Am driving” I am in a meeting, “I am very busy” “I never sighted him once.”
Here is an apology tendered by him and it reads: “Dear All, On behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 21st African Senior Athletics, I Olukayode Thomas tender an unreserved apology to you all for the hiccups that have greeted the event so far.
The media station, distribution of start lists, results and others will be well taken care of going forward.
“Please accept my apologises. Thanks you.”
This merely interprets that the person handling the media (Thomas) who supposedly to be the image maker of the Championship lack experience and competence.
Apart from that, foreign athletes who were to participate in the Championship were stranded at Lagos airport due to poor organisation, which nearly caused international embarrassment. One may ask, is it that those saddled with that responsibility do not have the capacity to handle it?
Two days into the Championship, the fence of Stephen Keshi stadium, where the event held fell and destroyed about four cars. I also ask “Is it is that the engineers did not do their job thoroughly or it was caused by substandard materials”?
To be fair, the concept and design of the stadium was nice, but the finishing was not given the best.
Speaking, the media consultant to South African Athletic Federation, Cele Sifiso said in spite the fact that there were irregularities in the organisation, he believed in African brotherhood.
According to him, hence medals are won, that means the competition is going on well.
“I know there are irregularities in the organisation, but as a country we did not come here to criticise. We want Africa to grow in every aspect.
“Obviously, there are things that were done right, but we from South Africa are not looking at the negative side,” Sifiso said.
In his opinion, the chairman of Delta State Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Azuka Chiemeka, said the organisation of the Championship was on the average.
He explained that to get 100 per cent in organisation of any tournament was difficult, saying that to handle logistics is a bit difficult.
“This Championship is been organised by Confederation African Athletic (CAA) and not Delta State that just provided the facilities and venue to host the event.
“I must commend the State Governor’s intention to develop the youths through sports,” Chiemeka said.
He further said that the report on the collapse of the stadium was actually sensational and not good for the nation.

Tonye Orabere