X-RAYING ASABA CAA 2018: WITH CHIEF SOLOMON OGBA

Delta State New Media

In an expository interview with the Delta New Media Team, Chief Solomon Ogba, chairman LOC Asaba 2018, bared his mind on the success of the event and the attendant criticism by a few who have chosen to always dwell on negligible skirmishes in their comments and reportage of all that transpired during the hosting.

He stated that the choice of Asaba as the host of the competition, being a historic city in Nigeria was timely. According to him, for the fact that Asaba is neither the Capital Territory nor the commercial capital of Nigeria, there would always be such negative perceptions that have been on display from some quarters. He however noted that such complaints have always accompanied hosting events of this magnitude.

In his response to report from some quarters that Tanzania withdrew from the competition due to poor planning by the LOC, Chief Ogba, stated that Tanzania didn't register at all for the competition; as such, couldn't have had any dealings with the LOC. He explained that the water tanker that collapsed metres away from the stadium could have been due to pressure of time on the contractor to deliver the project.

With regard to transportation, he noted that Lagos was not the venue for the competition but Asaba. He noted that the LOC made provision for accommodation in Ibis hotels and Novotel, in Lagos, for countries that could not easily get their connecting flights to Asaba. He however cited the proactive approach of the Ethiopia contingent who landed in Enugu and travelled by road to Asaba. He shared his previous experience of waiting in an airport for 9 hours before being taken to Marrakesh where the event was hosted. He quipped that such experiences would always play out.

While reacting to the perception held by some public figures that the stadium was a waste of tax payers money, he simply said that "Critics will always be Critics". He noted that most of the criticisms were based on hearsay and arm-chair theory, which actually did not reflect the true situation that played out.

He emphasised that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa should rather be appreciated for rescuing our country from the shame of losing our hosting right after Lagos declined to continue.

Continuing, he said that the hosting of the event by Delta State should be applauded by objective Nigerians, especially those that witnessed the event, rather than adopting this political appraisal being bandied about.

Still speaking, he thanked God for the clement weather and opined that nature actually responded positively to the commitment of the Governor and the LOC.

In response to the socio-economic impact of the stadium to the state, Chief Ogba noted that it would provide a standard training facility for sports men and women in the state; it would also facilitate some ambitious initiatives into new sporting activities. He informed our team that the Nigeria VS Libya Nations Cup qualifying match in October, would be hosted in Asaba.

He further said that a committee would be set up to ensure proper management of the edifice. He noted that there were plans by the incumbent administration to revive the Warri and Sapele stadia.

He appreciated Gov. Okowa for giving out price money to athletes and transport subsidy to participating countries which according to him, was the first of its kind in the history of the competition.