Fans outraged over unprotected Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch after church event rental
Ghanaian sports fans are up in arms over the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) decision to rent out the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for a church event, leaving the pitch unprotected and exposed to potential damage. This stadium is currently Ghana’s only CAF-approved venue for international matches.
The NSA’s decision to rent the stadium for a five-day church event has ignited widespread outrage, as images circulating on social media show the pitch being trampled by participants.
Fans have expressed their dismay at what they perceive as an irresponsible move by the NSA, given the critical importance of maintaining the stadium’s condition for international competitions.
Concerned sports fans are calling on authorities to take immediate action to protect the pitch and ensure that Ghana’s license from CAF is not jeopardized.
The potential damage to the only approved CAF stadium could have serious implications for Ghanaian football, affecting the national team’s ability to host international matches.
In response to the backlash, the NSA Ashanti Region has attempted to assure fans that measures are in place to restore the pitch promptly.
“We have a robust plan, a crack field, and a maintenance team to recover the pitch and restore the facility in general in record time throughout August. Stakeholders can rest assured,” the NSA Ashanti Region stated in a post.
However, this reassurance has done little to quell the anger of fans, who feel that the pitch should have been protected from the outset to avoid any potential damage.
The incident has also highlighted the need for better sports facilities in Ghana, with many calling for more stringent measures to ensure the preservation of existing venues.
Recently, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey appealed to Vice President Dr. Bawumia for an improved playing field during the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. “We want to say thank you for coming, we really appreciate it. I have one request from all the players: we are asking for a good stadium because we want to play better football, so we need a better stadium and also for us to perform better. It’s the only time we can see you for now, so I need to say it,” Partey said.
The Black Stars are set to face Angola in an upcoming African qualifier next month, while Ghanaian clubs Samartex and Nsoatreman are scheduled to compete in CAF Inter-club competitions. The condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch will be crucial for these matches, making the NSA’s decision to rent out the stadium without adequate protection even more contentious.