Sports veteran Odikibo Solomon Odikibo has appealed to Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to reconstruct the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, also known as the Civic Center, in Port Harcourt. The complex was once a hub for track and field events, but it has fallen into disrepair. Odikibo, who won several medals in long jump and high jump for the state, made the call in an interview with Tidesports. He emphasized the need for the reconstruction to provide training facilities for young athletes.
Odikibo, president of the Life Youth Sports Development Initiative (LYSDI), stated that the state has abundant talents in track and field events, but limited facilities to train with. He expressed concern that the disciplines could soon go extinct due to the lack of adequate replacement for aging athletes. Odikibo's organization is a grassroots sports initiative designed to discover young athletes from secondary schools. The initiative is self-sponsored and aims to catch them young.
The sports veteran reminisced about his days of active sports, when there were lots of secondary school sports competitions and tournaments. He attributed his discovery to school sports, where he participated in high jump, long jump, and hurdles. Odikibo's passion is to see young athletes develop their skills in a conducive environment. He stressed that without training facilities, no athlete will improve.
Odikibo's call for the reconstruction of the Civic Center is not just about reviving a sports facility but also about preserving the state's rich athletic heritage. He noted that the complex was once a symbol of excellence in track and field events. The veteran sportsman is urging the state government to take urgent action to restore the facility to its former glory.
The Life Youth Sports Development Initiative has been working tirelessly to discover and groom young athletes. Odikibo expressed gratitude to his team and partners for their support. He emphasized that the organization's goal is to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents. The initiative has been successful in identifying and nurturing talents, but it needs the right infrastructure to thrive.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has not yet responded to Odikibo's appeal. However, the sports veteran remains optimistic that the governor will consider his request. Odikibo is confident that with the right support, the state's athletic talent can flourish. He looks forward to seeing a revamped Civic Center that will serve as a hub for track and field events.
The reconstruction of the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex is crucial for the development of athletics in Rivers State. Odikibo's appeal has highlighted the need for investment in sports infrastructure. The state's athletic community is eagerly awaiting a response from the governor. The fate of track and field events in the state hangs in the balance, and stakeholders are hoping for a positive outcome.
Key points
- Odikibo Solomon Odikibo urges Rivers State Governor to rebuild Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex.
