Athletes representing Team Ogun at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival on Wednesday disrupted the flow of events in protest over the non-payment of their allowances, Afrosport reports.
The protest, which took place at the Games Village located within Babcock University, Ilisan, saw Ogun athletes block the movement of other contingents, effectively halting transportation to various competition venues for several hours.
The disruption forced organisers to reschedule several events, including the handball finals for both male and female categories, originally slated for 9 a.m. The finals have now been pushed to 2 p.m.
In response to the unrest, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, confirmed that efforts were underway to resolve the issue. He noted that payments had commenced and assured that the situation was under control.
“I have been in touch with the athletes, and many have started receiving their allowances. I’m on my way to the Games Village to meet with them and ensure all concerns are addressed,” Isiaka said.
Despite the setback, the Commissioner expressed confidence that the festival would proceed without further interruptions.
The 2024 National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sport event bringing together athletes from across Nigeria, is set to conclude with a closing ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
