By Jimoh Babatunde

During a visit to Asaba, Delta State, recently for the presentation of the Delta Leisure Resorts’ Master Plan presentation, I stumbled on a leisure cum sports facility located within the Government House.

The attraction lies in the serene environment and the appealing feelings of beauty in the sprawling complex housing the leisure cum sports facility.

The Squash and Leisure Pool Club, as it turns out to be, enjoys the patronage of the state Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, big names both in the government, political, social and business circles as well as government guests who are quartered within the VIP Suites.

That Saturday morning when I got there, the governor had just finished a game of squash under the watchful eyes of his trainer and partners.

The Manager of the facility, Asiafa Eloviano Berkley, said the Governor not only come there to play squash, but “it has become his tradition to walk – out and try his hands on tennis and squash among others.”

Asiafa Eloviano Berkley, who is widely travelled with vast experience in business and entertainment, disclosed that the complex was first created in 2004 during the administration of the former governor of the state, James Ibori, but Governor Uduaghan in 2007 expanded on the complex and the vision ensuring that many of the government staff embrace the culture of leisure and keeping fit.

The governor visits the facility at least three times a week to unwind and exercise. The common joke around here is that if you want to get the attention of the governor unhindered without prior appointment and the horde of security details milling around, then sign up for the club.

It opens daily and at all hours of the day but night time is always when the club witnesses the spring with many of the members in attendance and holding court with their groups at the different sections of the club.

According to Berkley, the club is open to the public but with a focus on the matured and cultivated minds who understand the need to patronise such a high profile facility.

He also reveals that it operates on membership basis with subscription fees and other sundry charges that are pocket-friendly. Members of the club, he says, are treated as kings and queens with many privileges on offers. One of such is that each member is entitled to four guests.

With security and safety guaranteed, he says, it is the best place to visit as it exudes serenading calmness whenever one is closeted within the premises. He says the vision is to offer the best leisure and sports complex in the city, contending that there is no other such secured and well -cultivated complex in Asaba.

The facilities in place include three different bar sections, each with a peculiar ambience and fitted with facilities for the comfort of the guests. Other sections include a well – equipped gymnasium, squash, tennis courts and two swimming pool arenas – one for adults and the other for children.

There is also a sport café where one is guaranteed an inviting atmosphere with a lot to drink and munch while feasting the eyes on the big screen. Plans, he reveals, are also on for additional facilities that would make the club a complete sports and leisure outfit.

There is also the Executive Bar and VIP Lounge where the governor most times entertains his visitors. And for social events, the club is well-suited with its garden – like and well – manicured landscape for marriages, birthdays, conferences and retreats.

Also, expect to be treated to sumptuous culinary experience both on the continental and traditional levels. The list includes fish pepper soup, barbecue fish, yam goat pepper soup (Ukodo), a special delicacy of the club that is served on Saturday mornings after the games.

By the way, Berkley says the club also serves the coldest drinks in town because of constant power supply. Beside the Ukodo meal on Saturday mornings, Berkley informs that Saturday is the most busy and eventful day at the club.

A visit on this day, particularly at night would prove to be a profitable and a memorable one as people of all status literally take over the club wining, dining and dancing to a mix of music and vibrations engineered by the day’s DJ.

One of the programmes that are soon to become a regular feature of the club is the ‘Old Skool night.’ It was first experimented in November last year with DJ Jimmy Jatt at the console. Given the huge success and the accolades it received, Berkley says the club management has concluded plans to make it a regular occasion to savour.