Delta 2022 , A Call to Action For Deltans

By Norbert Fidelis

The National Sports Festival tagged Delta 22 might have come and gone, but the memories it left will linger on for a long time to come.

The paraphernalia associated with this years event is unrivaled as the opening and closing ceremonies at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba ,was colourful , with sports , culture, entertainment and arts exhibition coming together to speak a common language which is unity

As a practising journalist and a sports lover, I deemed it fit to go round some of the venues and see how things are going in terms of organization, welfare and performance especially as it concerns Delta State. First point of call was the event centre, at Okpanam road, that hosted boxing, kick boxing, wrestling and judo

According to the officials of the games at that centre, the games were hitch free at that centre, most of the athletes I met were impressed with the centre as they liked what was on ground. Again, the volunteer officials at the centre were seen doing their work with passion ,saying there welfare package is well taking care of as they have enough food and water

Ditto goes for the centre at Grand Hotel that hosted chess and lawn tennis. However ,At the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, I went straight to the VIP section and this is where I stayed for the duration of the programme, even though I occasionally still go round the swimming pool and the indoor hall to see how things go. This is to enable me get first hand information and see things as it is happening.

At the VIP stand, there was no quarrel between the athletes and caterers as they were properly taken care of. The protocol ladies did there job perfectly without having any friction with the officials or organizers .Everybody got what they wanted as at when due. Situation was the same at the pool arena and the indoor hall as volunteers were properly taken Care of

Now each time we go for coffee break or lunch, I asked some of the officials who have been attending this Sports Festival for more than 10 years how Delta State has fared so far in terms of organization and welfare. Now i remember this particular official I met from one of the States in the north , (State and name withheld. )He laughed and said , if we
try this thing Delta is doing we will suffer for the next two to three years.

On the last day of the festival, while having lunch, a female athlete from Imo State said , hmm! Delta dey try o. Dem gov. dey spend money for sport. We no see food chop like dis for Edo State, na so so fight fight. We suffer tire. When I asked her is that for real, she said bros, na hunger and fight dem take do the festival. A fellow sports journalist sitting at my back Mr. Jude Agbeyeke of Dbs attested to the statement as he said he was there

After this , I met with these prominent personalities, Mr. Amos Adamu, a former Vice President of FIFA, Mr Rauf Oladapo, President General of Nigeria Football Federation Supporters Club and former Africa and Commonwealth 100m champion, Mary Onyali, all commended the event as being above average and one of the best so far. These are people who have seen it at the highest level. Again, the top govt. officials who came in to grace the occasion never looked down on anybody as they greeted warmly and gave everybody a free time. I particularly make a thumbs up for the LOC Chairman, Mr. Tonobok Okowa who was free and fair to all

Now, during my interview session with some of the athletes and officials, I noticed that the only people that condemned the games are no other persons but Deltans themselves. I remember vividly when this present administration hosted the whole of Africa in 2018 (ASAC 2018), Africa Senior Athletics Championship. While the likes of Algeria and other African countries cannot host it, Delta State stepped up to host the Championship and made it a huge success. I also remember what the leader of the South African Contingent, Mr. Sifiso told me then saying, the event was a spectacle. Deltans were busy condemning there govt. saying, the event was not well organized. All the African athletes and officials I interviewed then said, it was a spectacle. In fact some of the protocol ladies who came in for this games were part of the athletic Championship then and were full of praises for Delta State

This Government is the only govt. that has developed and built good infrastructures for the State yet its the most criticised. The question now is, are Deltans ungrateful people ?Since I came into this State some years back , by his grace, anytime i help a Deltan, Im always rewarded with evil. In fact that’s what prompted me to write this piece cos that’s what they seem to be doing to their Government. I also notice that this collect Government money and share syndrome has taken over many of them as they seem not to appreciate something good.

Deltans are the problem of Delta State