Once-Prominent Oleh Township Stadium in Delta Now Overrun by Bushes and Farmlands
September 15, 2025
Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, once a vibrant hub for sports and community events, has fallen into severe neglect, with its grounds now overtaken by cassava, yam, plantain, and thick bushes.
The facility, which hosted matches during the 2006 Africa Women’s Championship, including the South Africa vs. Algeria clash, was once ranked among Delta’s most prominent arenas—alongside Oghara, Ughelli, Agbor, and the Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku—under the administration of former Governor James Ibori.
Residents who visited the stadium this week described its collapse as a “death sentence” for young talents in the region.
“This used to be one of the most beautiful stadiums in Delta about 10–15 years ago. It was the pride of the state. Today, it is farmland. Cassava here, yams there. The tracks, roofs, and seats are all gone. Dreams have been wasted,” a resident lamented.
Community members accused the Delta State Government, House of Assembly, and Commissioner for Sports of deliberate neglect, and also faulted the local government chairman for ignoring the stadium’s decay.
Some young athletes continue to struggle to train on the dilapidated grounds, but residents say their ambitions are being crushed.
For many, the stadium holds deep personal value. A former athlete recalled how Oleh Stadium launched his career:
“I learned handball here and represented Delta State in several national tournaments. To see this stadium abandoned is heartbreaking. It once gave us hope.”
Locals have now issued an urgent appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rescue the facility from total collapse, warning that the neglect is destroying future sporting opportunities.
“Delta prides itself as a sports-loving state. But look at what has become of Oleh Stadium. It is nothing but shameful,” a youth leader said.
September 15, 2025
Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, once a vibrant hub for sports and community events, has fallen into severe neglect, with its grounds now overtaken by cassava, yam, plantain, and thick bushes.
The facility, which hosted matches during the 2006 Africa Women’s Championship, including the South Africa vs. Algeria clash, was once ranked among Delta’s most prominent arenas—alongside Oghara, Ughelli, Agbor, and the Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku—under the administration of former Governor James Ibori.
Residents who visited the stadium this week described its collapse as a “death sentence” for young talents in the region.
“This used to be one of the most beautiful stadiums in Delta about 10–15 years ago. It was the pride of the state. Today, it is farmland. Cassava here, yams there. The tracks, roofs, and seats are all gone. Dreams have been wasted,” a resident lamented.
Community members accused the Delta State Government, House of Assembly, and Commissioner for Sports of deliberate neglect, and also faulted the local government chairman for ignoring the stadium’s decay.
Some young athletes continue to struggle to train on the dilapidated grounds, but residents say their ambitions are being crushed.
For many, the stadium holds deep personal value. A former athlete recalled how Oleh Stadium launched his career:
“I learned handball here and represented Delta State in several national tournaments. To see this stadium abandoned is heartbreaking. It once gave us hope.”
Locals have now issued an urgent appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rescue the facility from total collapse, warning that the neglect is destroying future sporting opportunities.
“Delta prides itself as a sports-loving state. But look at what has become of Oleh Stadium. It is nothing but shameful,” a youth leader said.
Once-Prominent Oleh Township Stadium in Delta Now Overrun by Bushes and Farmlands
September 15, 2025
Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, once a vibrant hub for sports and community events, has fallen into severe neglect, with its grounds now overtaken by cassava, yam, plantain, and thick bushes.
The facility, which hosted matches during the 2006 Africa Women’s Championship, including the South Africa vs. Algeria clash, was once ranked among Delta’s most prominent arenas—alongside Oghara, Ughelli, Agbor, and the Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku—under the administration of former Governor James Ibori.
Residents who visited the stadium this week described its collapse as a “death sentence” for young talents in the region.
“This used to be one of the most beautiful stadiums in Delta about 10–15 years ago. It was the pride of the state. Today, it is farmland. Cassava here, yams there. The tracks, roofs, and seats are all gone. Dreams have been wasted,” a resident lamented.
Community members accused the Delta State Government, House of Assembly, and Commissioner for Sports of deliberate neglect, and also faulted the local government chairman for ignoring the stadium’s decay.
Some young athletes continue to struggle to train on the dilapidated grounds, but residents say their ambitions are being crushed.
For many, the stadium holds deep personal value. A former athlete recalled how Oleh Stadium launched his career:
“I learned handball here and represented Delta State in several national tournaments. To see this stadium abandoned is heartbreaking. It once gave us hope.”
Locals have now issued an urgent appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rescue the facility from total collapse, warning that the neglect is destroying future sporting opportunities.
“Delta prides itself as a sports-loving state. But look at what has become of Oleh Stadium. It is nothing but shameful,” a youth leader said.
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