- Ogun Athletes Stall Games Over Unpaid Allowances at the 22nd National Sports Festival.
- Governor’s Cash Promises Fuel Medal Hunt.
- Festival Drama Unfolds on Day Three at Babcock.
The Wednesday programme of the 22nd National Sports Festival updates kicked off four hours late at Babcock University.
The match eventually commenced after Ogun State athletes protested unpaid allowances.
What should have started early in the morning finally resumed at 12:43 pm after competitors lifted their blockade of the Games Village entrance.
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Why the Protest Happened
Athletes’ Grievances
By 5:30 am, the Ogun contingent had sealed off the village gates, demanding the full amount of their festival allowance.
Their stand-off left many fellow athletes waiting outside, unable to enter the compound.
Payments Made vs. Expected
- Amount paid: ₦40,000 (governor’s initial promise) + ₦140,000 allowances
- Amount expected: ₦210,000 (₦15,000 per day over 14 days)
One athlete said:
“We were paid ₦50,000 this morning, as promised,” “but only ₦140,000 was released for allowances, not the ₦210,000 we agreed on.”
Key Figures & Incentives
Governor’s Medals Incentive
To motivate participants, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced cash prizes:
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- Gold medalists: ₦2.5 million
- Silver medalists: ₦1.5 million
- Bronze medalists: ₦1 million
Ogun State’s Medal Tally
As of Wednesday, Ogun State sits third on the medals table with:
Gold: 48
Silver: 38
Bronze: 47
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