Sports journalist, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, is shell-shocked over the use of the recently commissioned Borteyman Sports Complex for church activities.
In a brief video shared on the journalist’s page on X, the facility was being occupied by some members of the Christ Embassy Church Legon Central.
It is unconfirmed the exact activity that was being held but Fentuo suggests a service was being held.
“Borteyman Sports Complex is now a church. That didn’t take long,” he wrote.
Reacting to the post, several individuals noted that there is no unlawful act if the facility was rented to the church.
“I see no problem here so long as the money from the rent takes care of the place. It’s a huge place that sports obviously cannot alone maintain,” a user wrote.
In response, Fentuo noted that renting the space to churches cannot be used as a maintenance plan and asked the authorities were not going by a sustainability plan that was drawn.
“Giving it out for churches cannot be the maintenance plan for a faculty of this nature. That’s just lacking foresight and white visionless. There was a sustainability plan. Why the heck aren’t they going ahead with it? This kind of mediocrity and lazy approach has to be condemned,” he wrote.
TIGPost is yet to come into contact with the said sustainability plan.
In February this year, the Borteyman Sports Complex, one of the primary venues for the Games scheduled between March 8 and 23, 2024, was inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo.
The Borteyman Sports Complex hosted seven competitive sports, including table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon.
Key features of the Borteyman facilities include a 1,000-seater capacity swimming pool with a 10-lane competition pool and an eight-lane warm-up pool.
Additionally, there’s a multi-purpose Sports Hall seating 1,000 spectators for events such as basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, and weightlifting. A 500-seater temporary dome will host handball, volleyball, judo, karate, taekwondo, and other events, along with a five-tennis court complex, including a 1,000-seater Centre Court.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has revealed the government’s plans to transform the Borteyman Sports Complex into the University of Sport for Development.
Emphasising the advantages of this modern sports facility, he stressed that it would become a hub of excellence, fostering the growth of young talents and hosting international competitions.
“The construction of state-of-the-art sports facilities in the country not only provides a platform for athletic excellence but also contributes to the overall infrastructure development, leaving a legacy for generations to come.
“After Accra 2023, these facilities will serve as centres of excellence, nurturing budding talents, and providing a platform for international competitions,” he said during the commissioning of the Sports Complex on February 13, 2024.
He added that the facility aligns with the government’s long-term vision of having a University of Sport for Development.
“This infrastructural investment also aligns with the government’s long-term vision of transforming the entire infrastructure here at Borteyman into a University of Sport for Development.”
Mr Fentuo is concerned that after this announcement was made, not much has been done to see this dream come into fruition.
