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I saw it in its austere state, empty of grandeur. And last week, I saw it in its new splendor, full of radiance. The Stephen Keshi Stadium of Asaba, in the Delta State, is now wearing a new look, a status worthy of a man we call Skippo. Keshi was the most caring footballer in Nigeria and the most cosmopolitan Nigerian player.
He was also a national team coach who scored history by winning the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach. -Gohary. But the man is dead. He died of a heart attack on July 7, 2016.
See also: Asaba 2018: Delta Approves Modification Contract for Keshi Stadium
For all that he defends and for which he has lived, many sports fans have urged the federal government in Skippo by appointing one of our national sports monuments after him. It was not an honor to ask, especially for a man who, as a player and manager, had brought glory to Nigeria.
One could say since his death that he never really rested in peace in his native country and to which he gave so much, sacrificial. But now, he is resting. He rests in Asaba, the rapidly changing capital of the Delta State, his own state. His soul found rest with the completion of a modern stadium in the capital that bears his name. The now well-known Asaba Stadium named Stephen Keshi Stadium has benefited from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's SMART agenda.
It is normal to ask, just a stadium? What is the problem? A lot! This is not just a stage. It is a monument buried in the sand dunes of time; nestled in the bowels of history. Almost forgotten, turned to a development pawn and treated as an orphan. Its history reaches the regional era of the former Midwestern state. Born in the 1960s by the indigenous Asaba as a recreation center for their sons and daughters who excelled at the time and who continue to do so, in sports and universities. It has been designed to be a water point to develop skills and stimulate the spirit of competition. But he suffered from negligence. Even his takeover in 1974 by the illustrious government of Samuel Ogbemudia did not do much to add modern polish to his vanquished immensity.
And everyone in the hands of 19 military and civilian leaders, Asaba stadium was thrown on the chessboard of development; a lame pawn. At the same time, it has become the haven of street urchins and hemp sellers and their bosses; a hiding place for criminals. In military days, he served even a morbid purpose. A shooting range where the scammers were treated to a small fatal fire party. They were executed in the bushy and grbady fields of the stadium in jungle justice orgies. Such was the lot of the stadium; a story of heartbreaking moments of horror. But the stage has endured the pains. He struggled through time and was lost in the maze of identity. Was it really a stadium or a simple playground? And to his credit, James Ibori as governor built an indoor gym in the stadium, but even that has restricted its use. It could not host any major competition, as it was very difficult to clbadify a stadium.
But all this misfortune of a monument is over. If it were a human being, a being, the stadium would now wipe its tears to mark the end of terrible decades of rapacious rape and brutal abuse. And all thanks to Governor Okowa. At the death of Keshi, the governor named the stadium after the man who opened the door of entry of African players in Europe. Keshi was the forerunner of all the good things that happened to most African footballers in Europe. He was the precursor of fortune and fame for Nigerian players in particular. He was, who showed the way for others. He was not the first Nigerian to play professional football in Europe. But once he's got his chance, he has democratized the opportunities. He opened the door to other players. From Nigeria to Ghana via Togo and Mali, Skippo has allowed a large contingent of African players to make their way to European clubs.
So far, remittances from these players and their latest comers have been confusing. Thanks to his efforts and kindness, poverty has been permanently destroyed in many homes.
Keshi was not just a leader, he was a talismanic leader. A winner on all fronts. He shook the Belgian league; was a popular African ambbadador to Europe. He led Nigeria to their first and best appearance in the World Cup (USA 1994). The only Nigerian player turned coach to take another African nation (Togo) to the World Cup. As a coach, he not only won the Nations Cup, he also qualified Nigeria for the World Cup. A man of such a profile deserves a place of rest after giving the fatal blow to the ball: death!
And now he has one. A colorful stadium in its own state. Thanks to Okowa who promised to break the Asaba Stadium's jinx and went from the front to exorcise voodoo and the spell that has long been attaching the sports facility to the manor of dormancy. The Stephen Keshi stadium is no longer a fairy tale. It's real. It is on Nnebisi Road in Asaba in full adornment and majesty. And that comes with some firsts. It has the first nine-lane track in Nigeria.
Next month, from August 1st to 5th, the stadium will host the African Athletics Championship. More than 52 African countries are expected at this senior athletics festival. Asaba has never seen such. Ethiopians and Kenyans, these talented long-distance runners, already speak of tough guys. They manage to dominate, they boast. It would never have been if a decent stage was not available. Imagine for a moment the impact of this event on Delta's economy. Hotels, food vendors, miscellaneous service providers, carriers, airlines, markets and marketers will all see an increase in their revenues. That's what development does to a people.
For those who are still wondering why a stadium could attract so much rave, think again. Think of the Delta State's place in Nigerian sports, even African ones. Delta is the tendon that holds Nigerian sports. Athletics, football, basketball, you name it. The state has a green history of producing champions and legends of Keshi's mold. A good modern stadium can only speed up the production line.
From the Midwest until Bendel and now Delta, two things have always separated the state from others. It is the nursery of academic and sports outliers. With a stadium of this magnitude, beware of future world sports champions. Delta youth should own the stadium. It is up to them therefore that it is important to treat it carefully, protect it and preserve it.
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has finally found rest. It's a lasting honor for a man who has given everything for his country. He deserves more, no doubt, especially from the Nigerian government. But this one, executed by his governor in his honor, suffices for the moment.
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