National Youth Games: Ondo Sports Council denies owing athletes

Games: Ondo Sports Council denies owing athletes

Ondo

By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 16, 2019 (NAN) The General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council, Fabuluje Wande, has denied a report that the council was owing athletes participating in the 5th National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin.

Wande told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin that the money approved for the Games was not released in full.

NAN reports that the general manager was reacting to a claim that coaches and athletes have vowed not to leave Ilorin if they are not paid their complete allowances.

“The State Government approved N20 million but only N10 million was released for the Youth Games, that is why the coaches have not been paid their their complete allowances.

“We have paid all the athletes what is due to them, that is why you see them doing well at the Games.

“Camp allowance and elimination in Ibadan have been paid. I appeal to them to be patient. We will pay as soon as we receive the balance of the money,’’ Wande said.

He said he had met with the state accountant general who promised that the government would pay.

The general manager advised the government to hasten release of the remaining money to avoid crisis at the Games.

He praised the athletes for not disappointing the state at the Games, describing their performance as excellent.

He said that it was important for the athletes to go into camp early in preparations for the next edition of the Games.

NAN reports that the state has so far won six gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals. (NAN)
OOH/CHIN/PDE
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(Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Peter Ejiofor)