It has been a clear show of poor maintenance culture, that best describes the rotting nature of the Gyandu Park, some of the residents have turned the facility to their backyard garden and reptiles have grown bored of the freedom offered them at the facility which was once the host venue for the glory days of football in the western region.
Gyandu Park was built in the colonial days, the facility has served as the home venue for two of the top 6 clubs in the country – achievement, fan base wise. Eleven Wise, the second oldest existing club[founded in 1919] and Hasaacas have served the nation with great talents who were all nurtured at the facility located at the center of the oldest town in the region.
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The two clubs have combined to produce 14 recognized trophies competing at the Gyandu Park and almost had all their historic moments competing at the facility.
The famous Giants of the West title held by Hasaacas Fc was chalked at the Gyandu Park when they held German side, Fortuna Dusseldorf to a pulsating 3–3 draw at a time that the German side had beaten all the clubs came against during their tour of West Africa.
Why we're called GIANTS OF THE WEST? #Hasmal
In August 1959, German side, @fortunaDUS beat all teams they met during a tour of West Africa.
We were the only team to play out a pulsating 3-3 draw with the @Bundesliga_EN outfit at the Gyandu Park.
That's how we got the accolade. pic.twitter.com/nSpaymrE7H
— Sekondi Hasaacas FC (@SekHasaacas) February 27, 2019
Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Raja Casablanca, Asec and many other great African clubs have fell to the knives of either Eleven Wise or Hasaacas on the once green turf.
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Emmanuel Quarshie, Edward Acquah, Aggrey Fynn, Kuku Dadzie, Joseph Carr, Isaac and PSK Paha, Kofi Abbrey…best moments in the game were at the abandoned facility.
The 15,000-seater multi–use facility is left to die an unfortunate dead.
Gyandu Park last had a proper renovation work 12 years ago when Ghana was preparing to host the 2008 Cup of Nations – the last time the facility felt a brush was when former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi visited the Regional Football Secretariat which ignited a painting exercise of the facility – why?
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Worryingly, the facility which was once used for Ghana Premier League games is no longer fit for a Division One League game says the Club License Board of the GFA. Hasaacas, Proud United and Eleven Wise have been turned to use Sekondi Sports Stadium.
Western Region completed the sport governance system, providing all the needed requirements requested from a region to satisfy the Sports Act 2016.
All positions from district level to the regional sports committee level has been satisfied yet solution to the growing menace of the facility is a somehow a hike. Western Region joins Ashanti Region as the only regions among the 16 to satisfy all requirements.
So, why’s it taking forever to fix Sekondi’s darling football ground?
State of Sekondi Gyandu Park described by @tv3_ghana a year ago.
GFA President @kurtokraku wants facility renovated. pic.twitter.com/cmC5F4uYIR
— KY Filla (@kyfillagh) May 15, 2020
The springing up of Astro-turf facilities in and around Sekondi-Takoradi is somehow encouraging, also giving room for questions whether leadership has however considered the traditional home venue of football in the western region.
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Already, four venues have been face-lifted to astro-turfs; Adiembra Town Park, Sekondi Methodist Park, Effia-Kuma Police Park and Lagos Town School Park – these move mute talk of lack of funds.
So, its firming up now, money isn’t a hindrance but where’s the push from same leadership who aided in the construction of these astro-turfs?
Emerging news
The Sekondi Sports Stadium is currently undergoing construction which has turned attention to whether Gyandu Park can be elevated to accommodate Hasaacas, Proud United and other clubs.
There are growing interest from several other people who have shown concern to help elevate the standard of the facility.
It has emerged that aspiring Member of Parliament for Effia Constituency, Michael Otoo is leading a team of aspiring parliamentarians contemplating moves to help push the state of Gyandu Park.
Similarly, the Ghana Football Association’s President Kurt Okraku has in a meeting requested for the Gyandu Park to be included as one of the football venues to be worked on.
Beats imagination to see Gyandu Park's current state but if also warms the heart to have the authority point it out for upgrade. pic.twitter.com/Avxq7J853B
— Nitro (@georgenitroduah) May 13, 2020
