Ogun State Athletes Protest Over Unpaid Allowances at National Sports Festival
In an unprecedented turn of events at the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) Ogun 2024, athletes from Team Ogun staged a blockade at the exit gate of Babcock University, where participating teams are camped. The protest, which they describe as a national embarrassment, stems from grievances over unpaid allowances and unfulfilled financial promises made by the Ogun State Government.
Athletes Demand Justice
The protesting athletes cited several key concerns, including:
- Non-payment of feeding allowances
- Non-payment of promised instant rewards for medalists
- Non-payment of the ₦50,000 grant pledged to all athletes by Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun
- Calls for allowances equal to those of other states, such as Bayelsa
- Initial protests before being granted accommodation at Babcock University
With the final matches of the festival set to take place today, the athletes expressed frustration over their poor welfare, demanding that the governor address them personally to ensure their entitlements have not been diverted.
Authorities Step In
Over three hours into the protest, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) member, Delu Babatunde Daniel, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alabi S. Akinjobi arrived at the scene to mediate.
The Police assured that no individuals or teams had been harassed, urging athletes to embrace dialogue. The LOC Representative, Mr. Delu, encouraged them to appoint five representatives to negotiate for an immediate resolution. However, the athletes refused, insisting that only an address from the governor himself would resolve the crisis.
Visiting Teams Affected
The protest also impacted other participating teams, including Team Enugu, whose red luxury team bus has reportedly been stranded since 6 a.m., alongside numerous contingent buses awaiting clearance.
As tension continues to mount, the spotlight remains on the Ogun State Government, whose response could determine the final outcome of the National Sports Festival.
Authored by: Michael Lakpah
