Crisis Looms As Ondo Athletes Draw Battle line with Govt Over Unpaid NYG Allowances

Ondo State athletes and coaches have drawn a battle line with the leadership of the Ondo State Sports Council following an alleged failure of the management to pay their allowances at the ongoing National Youth Games,NYG, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The NYG, a 10-day event for athletes whose ages are not more than 15 years started on September 7 and will end on September 17.

One of the coaches,Moses Usifo, who spoke with newsmen on behalf of the aggrieved athletes and coaches, accused the state government and the management of the sports council of negligence.

He said the act could simply be described as wicked and barbaric.

“It is still shocking that most of our athletes at the ongoing national youth games in Ilorin are starving, yet competing,” he said.

The boxing coach revealed that the athletes and coaches have not been given a dime since the commencement of the event and efforts to solve an imminent crisis proved abortive.

“We were told to wait till the month end before we get the allowances but we have resolved to stop competing and remain in Ilorin until we are paid,”

Reacting, the Sport And youth development commissioner, Barr. Dotun Owanikin said “To the best of my knowledge,this information is not true.

I know u will discover at the end of the day that the remainder of the officials allowances had been scheduled for payment shortly after d games while the athletes had been fully paid my dear.

Fully paid. l mean all athletes. The officials will receive their balance of allowances when they return to Ondo state. The gospel truth.”

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