By Sab Osuji
Chief Rommy Amandi Ezeonwuka is left to rue what he described as ’embarrassing abandonment’ of Rojenny Games/Tourists Village, Oba, near Onitsha, bu both Anambra and Federal Governments leading to its modern sporting facilities being left to waste while both governments continue to harvest woes in national and international sporting events, Orient Sports reports.
Fuming with rage, Ezeonwuka, who conducted media Men round the magnificent edifice that include amusement park, ultra moderna Olympic size spinning pool, football stadium, handball/volleyball court, hotel, zoo, tennis courts, mosque and Church amongst others, Chief Ezeonwuka felt that ill preparation accounted for reason Team Nigeria performed disappointingly AT the concluded 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.“It’s a grave shame of monumental proportion that Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is celebrating a piece of silver and bronze after the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan”, Ezeonwuka, who is the Ogilishi Igbo (Igbo Spiritual leader), opened up.“We should have hauled massive gold medals at the Games. We have the talents but training facilities like what you have Just seen here at Rojenny was shockingly neglected. “This led to our athletes poor preparation and the eventual shameful performance at the Olympics.“After the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in Manchester and Rio respectively, I raised this concern yet nobody listened and the price is this monumental shame we harvested in Tokyo.“I recall in 1991 when I camped the U17 Golden Eaglets here for 23 months, the team went to Japan and won the FIFA U17 World Cup. “Together with coach Fanny Amun, we ensured the best for the players. I personally supervised their feeding and even gave out scholarships to some of the players at Merchant Of Light Secondary School here in Oba, and it paid off. “Rojenny Games/Tourists Village can still do it again with France 2024 Olympics in mind.“I don’t see any reason I can’t win 10 gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in France if Rojenny is given the mandate to host our athletes and their preparation, I can even sign an undertaken to this effect just as was the case in 1991”, Chief Ezeonwuka sounded. The business mogul and All Grand Progressives Alliance, APGA, Anambra State Board of Trustee member was in no mood to spare the state government for denying Rojenny opportunity to host most of the events during the 12th edition of the Nigeria Police Games, Anambra 2020.“When Police hierarchy visited Rojeny for inspection ahead of the games, they expressed joy with what they saw as regards the facilities”, Ezeonwuka said. “There and then, they decided that handball, volleyball, swimming and football events would be held here at Rojenny.“Our swimming pool is the only one with 32ft diving stand. Its even bigger than the normal Olympic size which further endeared it to police games authorities. “But shockingly, when the agents of the state government came, he told us to remove the water which we did. He snapped pictures and the next thing we heard was the construction of a swimming pool at the Ekwueme Square, Awka.“We’ve Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. We also have Michael Okpara Square, Enugu. There could be others. But tell me, is there anyone with a swimming pool? “Why must it be Ekwueme Square that will have a swimming pool? And you know how far that swimming pool lasted.“That is not all. Handball, volleyball and swimming were removed from Rojenny despite the fact that we have a far much quality facilities that could have delivered a perfect event”.Despite these disappointments, Chief Ezeonwuka explained he has no single regret putting the facilities in place. “Why would I regret? Jesus Christ did not regret coming for the rescue and salvation of mankind.
“He did not also regret dying for the salvation of mankind because he knew it was a role he had to play”.
