By Solomon Nwoke

Former African athletics champion, Chief Mbanefo Akpom has adviced Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state to make sports development a priority as he marches on towards reelection.

He also pledged his total support towards this initiative if called upon.

Akpom who is the founder of Mbanefo Akpom Sports Development Foundation, (MASDEF)spoke in a telephone chat from his home in California noting regrettably that “Anambra used to be a nest of sports champions but not anymore.”

He recalled when Nigeria was represented by most of athletes from Anambra state regretting that it is no longer the case example being at the recently held National sports festival in which Anambra state took 26th position. “That’s so sad to hear.”

Dr.Akpom points at the deplorable state and non maintenance of stadia and other sports facilities in the state and country in general as chief culprit in the gloomy picture being painted about sports in Nigeria.

According to him “I toured Onitsha stadium last year during a visit to Nigeria and destroyed my sight. I noticed the deplorable state of sports facilities in Anambra state. The state of Onitsha stadium is disappointing.
I hear that Awka stadium is better but I dare say that without well maintained sports facilities, Anambra as well as Nigeria may continue to be in the doldrums in sports.

“I suggest that aside from roads and other infrastructure development, sports development is also very important and Anambra government should invest in them so as to score points in international sports diplomacy.

“Without proper sports grounds, sport champions will be hard raise.

“I am ready to support this initiative in many ways than one if called upon” he noted

Mbanefo Akpom who hails from Onitsha Anambra state is former African high jump, decathlon and Nigeria 110m high hurdles champion.

He also led his Alma Mata to Four years straight NAIA and GSAC championshiphips.

Akpom was the only 110m high hurdles athlete who represented Nigeria at the World University Games held the then Yugoslavia in 1987.

He was the first blackman to win thr 110m high hurdles in the world famous Hanjekovic International track meet in Zagreb, former Yugoslavia.