Once-Prominent Oleh Township Stadium In Delta State Falls Into Neglect, Overrun By Bushes, Cassava, Yam Crops

Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South LGA of Delta State, once a hub for sports and community events, has fallen into neglect, with parts of the facility overrun by cassava, yam, and plantain growth, as well as thick bushes.

The stadium, which hosted matches during the 2006 Africa Women’s Championship, including the clash between South Africa and Algeria, was once celebrated as one of the most prominent sports arenas in the state.

Built under former Governor James Ibori, it ranked alongside Oghara, Ughelli, Agbor, and the Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku as symbols of Delta State’s commitment to sports development.

But indigenes who visited the stadium this week expressed shock at its current state, describing it as a “death sentence” for young sporting talents in the region.

“This used to be one of the most beautiful and talked-about stadiums in Delta State about 10–15 years ago. It was the pride of the state. Many of us practically lived here, training and developing ourselves in sports,” one indigene lamented.

“Today, I came back for a little warm-up. To my greatest shock, the entire stadium has been turned into farmland. Cassava everywhere. Yams in another corner. The once-vibrant stadium is now swallowed by bushes and crops. The roofs, tracks, and everything in the arena are in bad condition.

“This was not just a building; it was built to nurture and develop talent. By abandoning it, countless young talents have been wasted. Just imagine the number of athletes that could have risen from here if it had been maintained, not necessarily world-class, but at least functional.”

Community members accused the Delta State Government, the House of Assembly, and the Commissioner for Sports of deliberate neglect, stressing that the stadium had long been due for renovation.

They also criticised the local government chairman for allowing the facility within his council area to rot away unchecked.

“Even now, you can see young men and women still struggling to train against all odds. But their dreams are being crushed because the facility that should support them has been left to decay. Local government officials see this every day, yet pretend nothing is wrong. Are they comfortable with this level of waste?” another resident asked.

For many in the community, the state of the stadium is deeply personal. One former athlete shared how Oleh Township Stadium shaped his journey.

“It is worthy of note that this same neglected stadium once hosted three matches in the 2006 African Women’s Championship, matches I personally attended. I also learned how to play handball here, and it gave me the opportunity to represent Delta State in national handball tournaments,” the athlete said.

“From my teenage years to adulthood, I played in competitions such as the National U-12 Handball Tournament in Osun (2004), the National U-15 Tournament, the National U-17 and U-18 Tournaments, and regional qualifiers where I even represented Bayelsa State.

“As someone who grew to love sports through this stadium, it pains me to see it going down the drain.”

Residents have now issued a desperate appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene and rescue the stadium from total collapse, warning that more sporting dreams will be lost if the neglect continues.

“Delta prides itself as a sports-loving state. But look at what has become of Oleh Stadium. This is nothing but shameful,” one youth leader told SaharaReporters.