From Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri.
Dan Anyiam Sports Stadium, Owerri is currently wearing a new and befitting look following its rehabilitation and reconstruction work being undertaken by the state government.
Its present aesthetic look is such that can attract both national, continental and international matches apart from the ongoing NPFL tournament across the country.
The first home match played in the stadiun between Heartland fc and Nasarawa United Fc. leaves much to tell to both the visitors and football fans that gathered in their great numbers to watch and enjoy the match even when it turned to be a sad one following the defeat of the home team Heartland Fc.
A closer look at the pitch that has been completely re-grassed, one would quickly conclude that government means well in bringing back the stadium to a more refurbished state. There are already new seats in place waiting to be fixed for use in the stadium. The VIP stand is also being remodeled with the best equipment one can think of.
Thousands of football fans who were at the stadium for the match were amazed by the standard greenish looking pitch, while the players themselves could not stop imaginning the type of pitch they have come to display their talents as they were filled with joy. This is a result of the transformation going on in the stadium.
Dan Anyiam Sports Stadium never hosted a good number of matches during the last season of NPFL. The reason was because the stadium was comatose. The situation led to the suspension of many matches in the stadium and immediate relocation to Okigwe Stadium where the remaining matches were concluded.
Given the decay of the stadium, the then Governor Emeka Ihedioha led administration initiated a positive move for its total rehabilitation by awarding the contract work to a reputable company. Intensive rehabilitation work had already started with the total removal of the old roof and the old grass at the pitch before there was a change of government in the state.
Because government is a continnum, the present administration of Dist.Sen.Hope Uzodimma upheld the contract and reawarded it to the Reform Sports West African.
The choice for the stadium by the football governing body in the country as one of the stadia that would host the ongoing NPFL simply indicates that the stadium is back fully to its original state. This was demonstrated in the use of flood light during the Heartland Fc home match with Enyimba Fc in the week 4 matches. The floodlight to all football fans and other game watchers at the stadium recalled in their minds how it used to be.
This has also thrown away fears of playing matches at night especially as it concerns the home matches. Without the flood light, nobody knew what whould have become of the fate of Heartland Fc. It’s either the match would have been postponed to a new date that would favour the visiting team or otherwise.
Credit goes to the government in place for their magnanimity and foresight in upholding the contract for the rehabilitation of the stadium. Today the scenario has changed and the stadium has bounced back in full force.
Given its present position, the stadium today is hosting the ongoing NPFL competition in the country and would equally host other national and international tournaments or events.
The just concluded Ohaneze Ndigbo President General election was held in the stadium making it the first event being hosted in the stadium just after its remodeling.
Uzoma is the Vice Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Imo State chapter.
