Trinity Fitness Club, Onitsha has vowed not to vacate its training ground within the Chuba Ikpeazu stadium, Onitsha as was directed by the Anambra Sports Development Commission (ASDC).
The club in a release signed by its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Philip Okonkwo, also rejected the letter of ejection received from Tony Oli, chairman of the commission, saying it was not possible because their tenancy was valid until July 2020 having made a second annual payment in August, 2019.
Tony Oli, on September 23, 2019 had issued a directive that Trinity Fitness Club stood ejected and stopped from operating within the premises of Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.
The eviction order entitled “Letter of Ejection From Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha,” said it was due to the club’s acts of indiscipline, unruly behaviour and blatant disregard to constituted authority.
“The money you paid to the Stadium Manager will be returned to you in full at the return of the original receipt issued to you,” Oli added.
But the club said, “It may interest you that if need be, we will get our refund and over four million naira that we spent to put the space you allotted us in shape as it was bushy, unkempt and unfit for any sporting activity.”
The club expressed surprise that they were directed in the ejection letter to goto the stadium management they paid to for refund after more than a month of payment.
“We still express deep sense of dismay that five weeks after paying our annual maintenance fee to the stadium manager’s private bank account you are still directing us to go back to the same person to get our refund.
“Revenues from Chuba Ikpeazu stadium is government (public) money and we wonder why such money should be paid into private accounts and still remain with the individual for that length of time. We want use this opportunity to call on governor to investigate this act of privatisation of public funds.
“Infinity Sports Club wish to call on His Excellency to call Oli to orders before he kills the spirit of sportsmanship in Anambra. Lastly, we demand unfettered access to our fitness space in the stadium and that Oli steer clear of our internal affairs and limit himself to his duties as the Sports Development Commission Chairman,” it stated.
