The Azumah Nelson Sports Complex in North Kaneshie, Accra, once envisioned as a hub for sporting excellence and community engagement, now stands as a stark symbol of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
Originally known as the Kaneshie Sports Complex and constructed in the 1970s during the era of Ghana’s Supreme Military Council under General Acheampong, the facility boasts a storied history.
It served as a pivotal training ground for Ghana’s national teams, including the Black Stars during the 1978 African Cup of Nations, which Ghana proudly hosted and won.
Over the years, it also hosted football matches for renowned clubs like Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics while the Accra Sports Stadium underwent renovations in 2007.
Despite its historical significance and initial promise, the complex has languished in disrepair due to years of neglect by successive governments and authorities tasked with its upkeep. Originally part of a larger initiative to build 10 Youth Resource Centers starting in 2018, the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex was slated for completion within nine months.
However, several years later, it remains far from its intended state.
Efforts to revitalize the complex have been marred by unfulfilled pledges and sporadic renovation attempts. In 2018, former Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah commissioned renovation works, offering a glimmer of hope to sports enthusiasts and community members alike.
Yet, these efforts have failed to materialize into substantial improvements, leaving the facility’s infrastructure crumbling and its potential unrealized.
Sports journalist Jerome Octhere expressed dismay over the neglect, highlighting the complex’s deteriorated state as a disrespectful oversight to the legacy of boxing legend Azumah Nelson. “If it has been left unattended for years now, it means that we are not serious about it,” Octhere remarked, underscoring the broader sentiment among observers and local residents.
Once completed, the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex was designed to accommodate up to 5,000 spectators, featuring essential amenities such as a swimming pool, a standard football pitch, a basketball court, and running tracks.
Plans also included educational and vocational facilities like an ICT center, a counseling center, and an entrepreneurship hub aimed at fostering youth development and community engagement.
Once a Pride, Now a Shadow: Azumah Nelson Sports Complex in Despair #ChannelOneNews pic.twitter.com/hbmobVfa66
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) June 28, 2024