Gateway 2024: Kogi Athletes Protest Non-payment of Allowances, Demand For Sports Commission

Kogi State Athletes that featured in the ongoing National Festival in Ogun State tagged Gateway Games 2024 are currently protesting non payment of their allowances.

Speaking to journalists at Babcock University Ilisan-Remo on behalf of her colleagues where the athletes are camping, an Athlete from Kogi State, Vivian Eberechukwu lamented how they were poorly treated by Kogi State Commissioner for Sports, Anyebe Aridaojo Monday who allegedly withheld their allowances.

Eberechukwu who is an indigene of Enugu State and represented Kogi State recounted that the athletes are supposed to be paid 70,000 but paid 30,000 naira.

Kogi State Commissioner for Sports, Anyebe Aridaojo Monday

She charged Kogi State Government to to relief the Commissioner of his position having failed in his official duty taking care of the athletes.

Eberechukwu who played table tennis also condemned failure of the Kogi State to provide sport kits and equipment for them

The table tennis player therefore suggested establishment of Sports Commission in Kogi State to address bureaucracies in the sector.

Also in her reaction, a boxer from Kogi State, Celestina Alexander who is bronze medalist also frowned at their condition and urged the state government to respond to their plea in earnest having won divergent medals to make the state proud.

The boxer emphasized efforts she invested in training and re-training to win medal and later maltreated with non payment of their entitlements.