After Stonebwoy’s Bhim Concert held at the Accra Sports Stadium, the turf’s poor state has sparked controversy, with football fans expressing discontent and pointing fingers at the dancehall artist.
However, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, argues that Stonebwoy should not shoulder the blame for the damaged pitch.
The grass, now in a state that renders the stadium unsuitable for football activities for an extended period, has led to swift accusations directed at Stonebwoy for hosting the event at the sports venue. In response, Sam George redirects the blame towards the National Sports Authority (NSA), emphasizing that they are the ones responsible for the stadium’s management.
In his perspective, the NSA, tasked with overseeing the country’s stadia, should have taken preventive measures to protect the grass before allowing events like the Bhim Concert to take place. Sam George criticizes the management, asserting that they are not utilizing their resources wisely.
“Concerts are held every off season at Wembley, Emirates, Old Trafford, and other stadia. The managers there use their brains. Same cannot be said about the DG of the NSA who lied to Parliament earlier this year,” Sam George contends, drawing comparisons to how international stadiums manage non-footballing events without jeopardizing the playing surface.
He points out a discrepancy in the NSA’s testimony before the Public Accounts Committee, where the director general claimed they had protective pitch covers. Sam George alleges that none were utilized during the Bhim Concert, highlighting a potential breach of trust on the part of the NSA.
“If you have any anger, it should be directed at him for failing to do the work yet collecting his salary for December,” Sam George states, holding the NSA DG accountable for the oversight that has led to the compromised state of the stadium’s turf.
In a post shared on X, the Ningo Prampram MP vows to question Prof. Peter Twumasi, the NSA boss, during his next appearance before the Public Accounts Committee. He pledges to seek answers on why the NSA failed to employ preventive measures, accusing the organization of not using their intellect in managing stadium events effectively.
Samuel Nartey George’s defense of Stonebwoy and his critique of the NSA highlight the complexities of balancing sports and entertainment events in shared venues, sparking a broader conversation about the responsibilities of stadium management and the need for strategic planning to preserve these sporting facilities.
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