By: Nana Kwame Bediako
The Borteyman Sports Complex, which recently garnered attention as the host of the 2023 African Games, has found itself under scrutiny. This time, the complex is in the spotlight due to an unauthorised church service held within its premises, just three months after the prestigious sports event. The incident has raised concerns about the proper upkeep and management of the facility.
Borteyman Sports Complex is now a church. That didn’t take long
pic.twitter.com/BLrzUDjpe7
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) June 23, 2024
A video that has been circulating on the social media platform X shows attendees of a church service within one of the domes of the multipurpose building. The footage quickly sparked conversations online regarding the appropriate use of the sports complex. Notably, the church service was conducted by Christ Embassy-Legon Central, led by its leadership, without the necessary permissions.
Reports from JoySports revealed that the church had not obtained the required authorisation to hold the service. Further investigations into the matter uncovered that the National Sports Authority (NSA) had been contacted by the leadership of the University of Ghana Students Representative Council (SRC) and the church. The official request was to bring a group of students on a field trip to the facility, not for a church service.
The NSA has acknowledged the incident and stated that they are thoroughly investigating the matter. They expressed surprise at the turn of events as the SRC’s planned fun trip unexpectedly morphed into a full-fledged church service on June 1st, 2024. The incident has highlighted potential gaps in communication and oversight that need to be addressed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In response to the controversy, the SRC issued an apologetic letter, expressing regret over the unauthorised use of the sports complex for church services. The letter aimed to clarify the intentions behind the initial request and to assure the NSA and the public that there was no deliberate attempt to misuse the facility. The incident has sparked a broader discussion on the policies and procedures governing the utilisation of public sports facilities, with an emphasis on ensuring they are used appropriately and responsibly.
This incident at the Borteyman Sports Complex serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent oversight and clear communication when it comes to the use of public facilities.
