By Joe Apu
Nigeria born Toronto Raptors President, Masai Ujiri has called for the closure of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos for the next two years for a total rehabilitation of its facilities.
Ujiri while speaking at the end of the annual Giant of Africa Camp in conjunction with Nestle Milo stated that the neglect by the Federal Government had left the edifice which was once the pride of Nigerian sports an eye sour.
“We’re grateful that the stadium played a major role in the development of programme but I think it’s a shame that the facility has been left to rot. How can we have such an edifice and yet cry for a place for our sports men and women to train?
Giving reason why the NBA which had remained in South Africa with the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) and NBA Africa Game, Ujiri who was a member of the Nigeria squad to the AfroBasket 1997 in Dakar, Senegal insisted that a lot of factors were taken into consideration for such events.
“The NBA Africa Game has been held in South Africa twice and the BWB have remained there too. As much as we would love to move the events to Nigeria and other parts, we look at many factors before reaching a decision. Where in Nigeria are we going to host the NBA. Our facilities are in deplorable conditions and government is not paying attention. Government should as a matter of urgency take action so that our sports sector does not die.
“Nigeria is moving forward in other sectors of the economy but same cannot be said for sports. Those responsible for sports must understand that it is business and the environment is key. The location of the national stadium is beautiful but no deliberate action is being taken to get it back to standard. I feel pained that such an edifice is being over looked and not maintained.”
The 46-year-old Ujiri served as a scout for the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets before getting hired as the Raptors’ assistant general manager in 2008.
He then became Denver’s executive vice president of basketball operations in 2010 before returning to Toronto in 2013 after being named NBA Executive of the Year with the Nuggets.
During his four seasons as Raptors GM and president, Toronto has made four playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015-16.