Athletes representing hosts Ogun State at the 22nd National Sports Festival on Wednesday, left other athletes and officials stranded at the Games Village at Babcock University, as they protested the non-payment of their allowances with two days to the end of the Gateway Games 2024.
In videos and pictures circulated by officials at the games village, buses conveying athletes to different venues of events were stranded as athletes in Ogun tracksuits were seen blocking the gate.
It was said that the situation began as early as 5.30am.
One of the athletes representing Ogun State also confirmed that they had held a meeting over the protest last night and proceeded with their plans this morning.
According to him, they were yet to be paid and do not know how much the state would pay them in terms of allowances.
Before the start of the sports festival, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, pledged a cash reward of N2.5m for every gold medallist from the state, N1.5m for silver and N1m for bronze medallists.
The state is third on the medals table with 48 gold, 38 silver and 47 bronze medals.
At the time of this report, Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, is yet to give a reaction.
