Athletes in Oyo State on Monday protested at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, over alleged non-payment of allowances and financial rewards promised them for their performances at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Delta State.
The protesters stormed the stadium at about 11am while officials and some athletes were screening prospective participants for this year’s edition of the National Sports Festival.
The development reportedly forced officials to shut the stadium gates temporarily as the athletes demanded payment of their outstanding entitlements.
Sources told newsmen that the aggrieved athletes were particularly angry over the failure to pay sums allegedly promised them for winning medals at the Delta 2024 National Sports Festival.
The athletes also accused the Commissioner for Youth and Sports of failing under Governor Seyi Makinde administration to adequately recognise and support their contributions to the development of sports in the state.
They alleged that their welfare had been neglected despite representing Oyo State at various competitions, saying the situation had affected their morale and motivation.
The athletes further complained about years of unpaid festival allowances and inadequate financial support during competitions.
According to them, some athletes have had to use personal funds to purchase nutritional supplements and meet other expenses associated with training and participation in competitions.
They alleged that athletes were sometimes given as little as N25,000 to cover expenses for an entire trip.
The protest came as the state was commencing preparations for participation in this year’s National Sports Festival, with officials already screening intending athletes at the stadium.
Sources said senior officials later engaged the protesters and promised to look into their grievances.
The athletes appealed to the Oyo State Government to settle their outstanding allowances and rewards, improve their welfare and ensure better support for athletes representing the state.
They said prompt action by the government would boost their morale and encourage them to continue bringing laurels to Oyo State.
