Sporting activities scheduled for the day at the ongoing 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged: “Gateway Games Ogun 2024” Wednesday morning, experienced major setback following the protest embarked upon by athletes representing the host Ogun State over their unpaid allowances.
The athletes, who were camped at the Games Village located within the facility of the Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, Ikenne local government area of the state, began the protest as early as 5a.m. when they converged at the main gate of the village, blocking vehicular movements in and out of the premises that housed several other participating athletes from across the country.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the protest culminated in grounding logistics, as well as substantial number of contingents from other states, who were also stranded because of the inability of vehicles to convey them to their various sporting centres for the event of the day.
Eyewitnesses told LEADERSHIP that the athletes, who were demanding payment of allowances promised by the Ogun State Government before the commencement of the tournament, lamented that several efforts to resolve the issue internally had failed.
“Team Ogun officials met us yesterday (Tuesday) in front of Queen Esther Hostel, where most of us are staying. Another emergency meeting was held around 5am today, but nothing concrete came out of it,” one of the protesting athletes spoke on condition of anonymity.
Sources described the protest as peaceful, but determined, as the aggrieved athletes were chanting and calling for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s immediate intervention.
“This is embarrassing for a host state. The government should have sorted this out before the opening ceremony,” said a coach from another state who declined to be named.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the protest lasted till after 12p.m. when greater number of the day’s sporting events could not hold, forcing postponements and disruptions across the multiple venues.
But reacting to the development, the Ogun State Government condemned the protest, stressing that it was highly committed to the athletes’ welfare.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government expressed disappointment, stating that the protest “was inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds”.
Akinmade stated that the athletes were impatient, saying all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the payment of their allowances since Tuesday.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival. There is no circumstance under which he would allow Ogun athletes to suffer or be neglected.
“The protest earlier today by a few athletes is not only unfortunate but also uncalled for. It stands in stark contrast to the immense success the state has recorded in hosting the festival—from the grand opening ceremony to the impressive performance of Team Ogun,” the statement continued.
He further disclosed that the payment of allowances had already commenced, with athletes receiving bank alerts as scheduled.
“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” he concluded.
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