No fewer than 60 Sports Contingents from Bauchi state consisting of athletes, officials and their couches are currently stranded in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital over nonpayment of allowances by the government of Bauchi state.
Mahmud Ibn Mohammed, Chairman Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Bauchi state branch who exclusively spoke to WikkiTimes on Wednesday said security personnel and drivers who are part of the contingent said the government’s failure to release funds was the reason for their frustration.
“Security personnel and drivers said they are not moving an inch unless the balance of their allowances are paid, the agreement before we left Bauchi was that if we get to Ilorin, money will be sent from Bauchi to take care of all the balances of the allowances”, he said.
Mohammed lamented that prior to their journey, the approved fund meant to be released by the state government was not released and they had to borrow, thinking that by the time they will be going back such “awkward story will not be repeated.”
“Office of the Accountant General, Bauchi State did not release the approved fund meant for the state contingency to participate in the National Youth Games.
“In fact, money had to be borrowed to start the journey with a little amount of money for fuelling and some allowances”, the SWAN Chairman said.
According to him the lax in paying attention to the welfare of the sports contingent was also reflected in the pre-arrangement for the state’s participation in the competition, which he says affected the overall performance of the players.
He said; “Bauchi state contingency left Bauchi 2 am on Saturday Morning and arrived Ilorin 2 am Sunday Morning which is 2 days to the closure of the national games and there was no proper arrangement for accommodation”.
“The athletes that night on arrival have to sleep on the parking slot even as some like Basketball has match 8 am that very day, they took part in other events but could not advance, while they were completely denied participation in other events because they came very late” Mohammed added.
He maintained that only the female basketball team was able to win a silver medal and the male Badminton Double won bronze, “whereas they would have done much better if well motivated.”
When contacted by WikkiTimes, the state sports Director Lawal Garba denied that the contingents were stranded.
But findings reveal the contingents are still stranded in Kwara.
