2024 National Sports Festival: Ogun State Athletes Protest Over Unpaid Allowances
- Ogun State athletes blocked the entrance of the Games Village at Babcock University on Wednesday, May 28, in protest over the non-payment of their allowances
- With the National Sports Festival set to conclude on Thursday, May 29, the athletes expressed concern over the delay in receiving their entitlements
- Governor Dapo Abiodun had earlier visited various venues of the ongoing sports festival to cheer the Ogun State athletes to victory
Athletes representing Ogun State staged a peaceful protest at Babcock University over the non-payment of their allowances.
The host athletes blocked access, preventing other state contingents from reaching their designated sports venues.
The National Sports Festival is set to conclude on May 29, with various states scheduled to depart on May 30.
Source: Getty Images
Athletes unhappy with shabby treatment
Ogun State athletes have raised concerns over their treatment by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
According to Complete Sports, the athletes blocked various entrances to the Games Village at Babcock University to express their displeasure.
They claim that the Ministry, led by Wasiu Isiaka, has yet to pay their allowances, with just one day remaining in the festival.
One athlete, speaking on condition of anonymity with Legit.ng, also revealed that meals were being provided through a general kitchen organised by state officials.
The athletes unanimously stated that the protest would only end once they began receiving payment alerts. He said:
"The athletes initially planned to stage the protest before the commencement of the National Sports Festival, but the coaches made a passionate appeal to us to shelve the plan. We thought the ministry was going to pay once the games kicked off, but, unfortunately, we have gotten nothing.
"We are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to wade into the ongoing issue because the athletes are aware that funds were released to the commissioner and his team. The Festival is going to come to an end tomorrow, and many of us do not want to return to our families empty-handed."
Source: Twitter
Governor Abiodun promises medalists cash reward
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged to reward medalists at the National Sports Festival during his visit to the state contingent on May 18.
According to Channels TV, Abiodun announced that gold medalists would receive ₦2.5 million.
He added that silver and bronze medalists would be awarded ₦1.5 million and ₦1 million, respectively. He said:
“I understand that when you win a medal, there is an instant award. Once you get a medal, you get a reward, a huge one.
“You are here because you are the best from Ogun State. Anyone who is not here is not good enough to represent Ogun State. You are not here to compete alone, but to win.
Ogun State is currently third on the medals table with 53 gold, 44 silver, and 52 bronze, per NSF.
Athletes run in darkness
Legit.ng earlier reported that Athletes were forced to compete in near-total darkness when the floodlights at the newly renovated MKO Abiola Stadium failed during the National Sports Festival.
The incident occurred on Saturday night during the Men's 10,000m final as the facility suddenly turned into a blackout.
Cameras captured the scenario, showing the track and field shrouded in darkness as athletes struggled to run.
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Source: Legit.ng
