By Tonye ORABERE, PH Bureau Chief
The Rivers State Sports Institute (RSSI), one of the frontline sports institutes of learning in the country, has become a shadow of itself.
Newsafricng.com visited the complex to be confronted with a once edifying institute now in a state of dilapidation, dirty, run down, weed and rodent infested, and begging for attention.
The institution has lost its once vibrant colours as it is evident that it has not gone through any repairs and renovation for many years. it is adandoned and forgotten.
The quest to develop sports at the grassroots level in Nigeria necessitated the conversion of Government Sea School, Isaka, in Okrika Local Government, Rivers State, to Rivers State Sports Institute.
This institute was officially commissioned on May 31, 1988, by the then military governor, Col. Anthony Ukpo (retd.).
No doubt, the introduction of the sports institute in the South-South region was embraced by many, most especially upcoming athletes, coaches, and sports administrators, because its vision and objectives were to improve and develop sports in all ramifications.
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Athletes, coaches, and sports administrators from the South-South and Southeast regions actually took advantage of the institute, which was second to the best in the country after the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Lagos, in terms of human capacity development and provision of other infrastructure.
The sports institute Isaka has produced prominent sportsmen and sports administrators, including certified coaches, in line with the primary and fundamental purpose of the institution.
The prestigious Government Sea School, Isaka, was established by the first military governor of Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff (rtd.).
The institute was able to achieve its primary objectives because adequate attention was given to its immediate needs. But today, the school is being described as an “institute of orphans” where nobody cares about what happens there.
It is disheartening to note that students of this great institute now learn on bare floors, dilapidated roofs, and reptile-infested environments.
The poor state of the facilities led to the formation of the Coaches and Management Students Association (CAMSA) with the mission to rescue the school from extinction.
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According to the president of CAMSA, Yahcob K. O. Davied, the primary reason to call for CAMSA Week is to draw the attention of old students to see the deplorable state of the school.
“You are aware that the sports institute was rated as one of the best sports institutes in the country after NIS, Lagos, being the first located in the South South and South East regions.
But today, the school is like an orphan because no attention is given to it. Consequently, students are now learning on bare floors, and poor infrastructure is our lot. It is a shameful sight,” Davied said.
He explained that the institute has suffered from total neglect by successive governments of Rivers State.
In that circumstance, the institute has dropped to a zero level in rating, adding that before now, all the departments were functional, including the Marine section.
The CAMSA president, therefore, passionately appealed to the
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, is to consider the school for renovation before he leaves office. e
He further appealed to multinational companies and well-meaning individuals to come to their aid, saying the government alone cannot do everything when it comes to sports development.
“We desire that the institute be moved to a more deserving place and upgraded to award professional certificates,” he stated.
