Ironically, the protest comes just days after Governor Dapo Abiodun publicly pledged substantial cash rewards for medal winners from Ogun State
Cash Promises, Empty Pockets: Team Ogun Athletes Protest Unpaid Allowances at National Sports Festival
Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State — The 22nd National Sports Festival took a dramatic turn on Wednesday morning as Team Ogun athletes staged a protest over unpaid allowances, blocking the main entrance of the Games Village at Babcock University.
The protest, which began at dawn, halted the movement of athletes from other states, many of whom were scheduled to compete in early morning events. The disruption caused significant delays and raised fresh concerns about the readiness and integrity of the festival’s host state.
Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as tense but non-violent, with placard-carrying athletes demanding immediate action from the Ogun State Government. The athletes accused officials of failing to fulfill financial commitments made prior to the start of the Gateway Games 2024.
“Yesterday, Team Ogun officials called for an emergency meeting in front of the Queen Esther Hostel, where many of us are lodged.
“Another meeting was also held this morning around 5 a.m., but no resolution was reached. That’s when things escalated,” said one athlete, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Despite being the official host of this year’s edition of the National Sports Festival, Ogun State now faces mounting criticism over its handling of athlete welfare.
So far, neither the Ogun State Ministry of Youth and Sports nor the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has issued an official response to the protest.
Ironically, the protest comes just days after Governor Dapo Abiodun publicly pledged substantial cash rewards for medal winners from Ogun State.
“Anyone who wins a gold medal in this festival will receive from me the sum of ₦2.5 million,” the governor announced during a visit to the Athletics Camp.
“For every silver medal, I will give that medalist ₦1.5 million. Anyone who gets a bronze medal will receive ₦1 million.”
The promise was met with loud cheers at the time, as many athletes had invested months of rigorous training in the hopes of bringing glory to their state. However, it now appears that the immediate concern is not bonus rewards, but basic allowances and support during the competition itself.
While the cash incentives announced by the governor are typically disbursed post-competition, Wednesday’s protest suggests deeper issues related to trust, transparency, and administrative accountability.
Meanwhile, Team Ogun continues to perform impressively on the field, ranking third on the overall medals table as of Tuesday morning with a total haul of 114 medals — including 44 gold, 29 silver, and 41 bronze.
Still, the off-track unrest threatens to overshadow what should be a moment of sporting pride for the host state.
As frustration builds, many are now calling for urgent intervention by senior state officials to restore order, uphold commitments, and prevent further embarrassment at a festival meant to celebrate unity and athletic excellence. Read More
