The Azumah Nelson Sports activities Complicated at North Kaneshie in Accra, is at present in a sorry state following years of neglect by authorities.
The power was a part of 10 Youth Useful resource Facilities earmarked for development in 2018 with a nine-month completion deadline, however a number of years down the road, the advanced is at present in a state of disrepair.
The power was meant to function a multipurpose sports activities centre, accommodating over 40 totally different sporting disciplines upon completion.
Beforehand referred to as the Kaneshie Sports activities Complicated, the power was constructed within the Seventies through the period of the Supreme Navy Council below Basic Acheampong.
The advanced served as a coaching base for the Black Stars and different groups through the 1978 AFCON, which Ghana hosted and received.
It was additionally steadily used for soccer matches, notably by Accra Hearts of Oak and Nice Olympics within the Ghana Premier League, whereas the Accra Sports activities Stadium (then referred to as the Ohene Djan Stadium) was being rebuilt in 2007.
Nonetheless, years of neglect have taken a toll on the power and the authority liable for its maintenance.
Varied governments have pledged to improve the advanced to satisfy its meant objective, however none have fulfilled these guarantees.
In March 2018, there was a glimmer of hope when former Sports activities Minister Isaac Asiamah commissioned renovation works to start on the facility.
Sports activities journalist, Jerome Octhere stated the present situation of the Sports activities Complicated exhibits a scarcity of respect for the legacy of boxer Azumah Nelson.
“I have a look at the Azumah Nelson Sports activities Complicated at Kaneshie, and the primary impression that involves thoughts is that we’re disrespecting the determine and character of the boxing athlete Azumah Nelson. As a result of if it has been left unattended for years now, it signifies that we’re not severe about it.
“Those that adopted that facility for a very long time—I imply, tales round it—would let you know that it began within the Seventies, and we thought that within the final couple of years, we had been going to lastly see the place being put within the state that it really deserves. However what we’ve got now will not be something thrilling or nice,” he acknowledged.
The Azumah Nelson Sports activities Complicated, when accomplished, would accommodate as much as 5,000 spectators. The power would even have a swimming pool, an ordinary soccer pitch, a basketball court docket, and operating tracks. It’ll even have an ICT centre, a counselling centre and an entrepreneurship centre.