Edo 2021: Team Ogun May Boycotts National Festival, As Athletes Protest Non-Payment Of Allowances

ABEOKUTA - Except last minute u-turn, the Ogun state contigents billed for the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 may not participate after all, as the state government has refused to approve fund for the team's preparation.

Checks by THE ENCOUNTER NEWS revealed that, athletes are not yet in camp barely two days to the commencement of the festival. 

Further investigation revealed that, the lack of preparation was due to paucity of funds from the state government. 

But the Athletes numbering about 50 stormed the Ogun state governor's office on Wednesday as early as 9am to protest inability of the state government to pay their camp allowance and other outstanding allowances. 

Some of the athletes who spoke with our reporter said they were yet to be paid their winning bonuses of 2018 festival held in Abuja. 

Speaking with THE ENCOUNTER NEWS, a Tokyo Olympics bound Para-tennis player, Ishau Ogunkunle, explained that majority of the athletes are on contract since 2009 representing the state and have won major laurels in different games. 

Ishau maintained that, they have been training since last year individually despite series of postponement, stressing that they are ready anytime the state government approve fund for the team.

According to Bola Sogbamu, a female boxer, added that they were at the governor's office to confirm if the state will be competing at this year's festival.

Sogbamu insisted that, they would not leave the governor's office until the Governor meet their requirements. 

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, officials from the State Ministry of Youths and Sports including the Permanent Secretary and Director of Sports were seen at the governor's office apparently to get the governor's approval for their budget.