Pius Hadzide
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Pius Hadzide has jumped to the defense of government’s decision to re-christen the Tamale Stadium after the late ex-Vice President Aliu Mahama.
A series of events, including a health walk characterized the ceremony intended by the sitting government over the weekend to immortalize the late former Vice President Aliu Mahama.
The decision for the renaming, has however stoked controversy among sections of the sporting public.
However, the deputy sports chief believes Mahama’s contribution to sports development in Ghana-one of the founding fathers of Real Tamale United (RTU), playing a major role in the construction of the Tamale Stadium makes him the choicest candidate for the honor.
He pointed out that “You will admit that his contribution to sports in Ghana is not in doubt. And if you recollect the role that he played in the formation of RTU, you will come to the same conclusion.
“He also championed the decentralization of sporting facilities in Ghana. In times past, sports facilities could only be found in Accra and Kumasi but through the efforts of Aliu Mahama, Tamale and Sekondi now have stadia too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in his address at the ceremony said “He was immensely influential in lifting Abedi Pele and many other sportsmen and women from obscurity to limelight. His achievements and deeds transcend space and time. His name is therefore immortalized by naming the Tamale   Stadium after him, which after all, he was instrumental in building.
“It is only fair and just that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will name this stadium after him. This stadium symbolizes the love Alhaji Aliu Mahama had for Tamale in particular and our dear nation Ghana as a whole.
“As Alhaji Aliu Mahama used sports as a means of uniting many fragmented football teams and supporters from a position of weakness and mediocrity to an enviable position of strength and excellence, so should the name of this stadium be a symbol of unity, an edifice to ignite the spirit of selflessness and honesty. A monument to inculcate the values of patriotism, nationalism and volunteerism in Ghanaians.”
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum