Team Ogun athletes on Tuesday morning blocked the gate of Babcock University in Ilisan-Remo, where athletes at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun are housed, to protest the delayed payment of their allowances.
The protest, which started in the early hours of Wednesday, prevented athletes from other states from going to compete in their various events scheduled to commence by 8am.
The protest caused traffic gridlock in and around the university community as the protesters blocked the main gate of the university, a key venue for the festival.
Some of the athletes who do not want their names mentioned said that they will continue with the protest until they are paid their allowances.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State had promised to reward any athlete who won gold with N2.5m, N1.5m for silver and N1m for bronze.
All participating athletes for the state would receive N50,000 for qualifying.
The athletes were demanding the immediate payment of their allowances, which, according to them, have been delayed by the state government.
However, after much persuasion from government officials, the protesting athletes backed down on their demands about 1pm and opened the gate to allow vehicles to convey athletes to competition venues.
Team Ogun is third on the medal table with 53 gold, 44 silver and 52 bronze, totalling 149 medals.
Meanwhile, the Ogun government has condemned the protest and reaffirmed its commitment to athletes’ welfare.
The state government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, described the action of athletes as regrettable.
He expressed the government’s disappointment, adding that the protest was inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds.
Akinmade said that the athletes acted out of impatience, as all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the payment of their allowances on Thursday.
“Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival.
“There is no circumstance under which he would allow Ogun athletes to suffer or be neglected.
“The protest earlier today by a few athletes is not only unfortunate but also uncalled for.
“It stands in stark contrast to the immense success the state has recorded in hosting the festival—from the grand opening ceremony to the impressive performance of Team Ogun,” he said.
He added that payment of allowances had already commenced, with athletes receiving bank alerts as scheduled.
“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” he said.
