Ogun State Begins Athlete Payments Following Game Disruptions

Ogun State Begins Athlete Payments Following Game Disruptions

The Ogun State Government has commenced payment of allowances after a protest which disrupted some games slated for today.

Athletes representing the state in the ongoing National Sports Festival, this morning protested over the non payment of allowances.

Buses conveying athletes to different venues of events were stranded as the aggrieved athletes blocked the entrance of the Games Village at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo.

The protest restricted the movement of athletes whose events were supposed to start as they could not proceed to other venues at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto and the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja.

Some member of the LOC had appealed to the athletes to take the protest to the right parties instead of affecting activities at the university.

But the athletes insisted they would not leave until the governor or someone who could fix the problem met them or fulfil the promise of paying.

Their action forced postponement and disruption across multiple venues.

The festival tagged Gateway Games 2024 kicked off on May 16 and is billed to end on Friday.

Reacting to the action of the protesters, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, expressed disappointment, stating that the protest was inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds.

He said the athletes acted out of impatience, adding that all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the payment of their allowances.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival,” Akinmade said.

“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.”

He further disclosed that payment of allowances had already commenced, with athletes receiving bank alerts.

“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” he concluded.