Ondo SWAN raises concern over poor condition of Akure Township Stadium

…..says rehabilitation of the facility abandoned

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State Chapter, is not happy with the poor condition of Akure Township Stadium. It said the development is affecting sporting activities in the state.

This Association’s concerns were contained in a communiqué issued on Friday after its general meeting held in Akure.

It said the condition of the facility has forced Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens to play their home matches outside the state.

SWAN linked this development to the recent relegation of Sunshine Stars FC from the Nigeria Premier Football League. Although the association acknowledged the state government’s previous renovation initiatives, it expressed disappointment over the stalled or abandoned rehabilitation works, especially on the stadium pitch and essential amenities.

It called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to undertake a personal assessment visit to the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure to better understand the extent of decay and demonstrate genuine commitment to reviving sports infrastructure.

During the meeting, the association commended the leadership of the current State Executive Council led by Chairman Segun Giwa and Secretary Joseph Adesuyan, for their consistent commitment to the welfare and growth of members.

SWAN also expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for its continued support of sports development.

The body acknowledged the government’s recent sponsorship of athletes to the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.

However, the association raised concern over the overall performance of the state contingent at the sports festival. It stressed the importance of early and well-structured preparations ahead of the 23rd edition scheduled to hold in Enugu next year.

While athletes were praised for their dedication and resilience in winning medals against odds, the association noted the efforts of coaches and sports officials who worked under challenging conditions, including lack of adequate training facilities and equipment.


The association also drew attention to the long-abandoned new stadium project located at Araromi in Akure, urging the state government to resume construction without further delay. It noted that, since its creation, Ondo State still lacks a fully completed, state-owned stadium.

To address broader structural challenges, the body called for the appointment of passionate and capable professionals into critical sports administration roles within the Ministry of Sports, the Ondo State Football Agency, and the State Sports Council.

It emphasised that sound leadership and effective resource management were vital to achieving sustainable sports development.

In a push for grassroots revival, SWAN urged the 18 local government chairmen in the state to actively invest in community-based sports programmes. It further recommended collaboration with SWAN for technical support in planning and implementation.

The association also advocated for accountability in sports administration, urging strict disciplinary actions against officials involved in misconduct or mismanagement.