Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Hon Boma Iyaye on Saturday dissolved the number five field management committee for gross negligence and ineptitude.
Hon Iyaye who was at the facility located along Bende/Niger street in the Old Port Harcourt Township on Saturday for an official function frowned at the poor hygienic conditions in the vicinity.
He noted that the individuals who had been saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the facility is well-maintained and kept in peak conditions had failed in their duties.
“This edifice (the number five field) is a facility that was built by the Rivers State Government to erase the notion that Tennis is an elitist sport,” Hon Iyaye said.
“This facility was built to bring the sport (Tennis) closer to the people and the Rivers Government subsequently set up a management committee to take care of the place.
“The least we expected from them was to maintain the facility, not structurally but by keeping it clean. That was not done as exemplified by how the place looks currently.
“We will get more capable individuals who can do the job to subsequently man the facility,” Hon Iyaye concluded.
The number five field integrates two Tennis courts and a Volley ball court.
In a related development, Iyaye has commended the Chairman of the Rivers State Tennis Association, Mr. Ikenna Okafor for his giant strides in taking the sport to the next level in the State.
Hon Iyaye who was a special guest at the finals of the Keves Global Leasing U13 tournament at the Number Five field in Port Harcourt at the Number Five field in Port Harcourt said positive developments have been recorded since Okafor took the reins of the Tennis Association in Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists after the tournament, Hon Iyaye described Okafor as a square peg in a square hole.
“I knew that Ikenna Okafor would do a lot to improve the lot of the sport in the Sate because he is a square peg in a square hole.
“This tournament for young Tennis players will go a long way in helping the country produce great champions in the future.
“About thirty years ago, I started playing Tennis as a youngster and even though I never went onto become a professional Tennis player, I am hoping that these young boys and girls I see today will develop to become potential world beaters,” he said.
On his part, Okafor praised Hon Iyaye for his continued support to the Association and thanked the Rivers State Ministry of sport for the support received in making the tournament a success.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
