7th December, 2022
The Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde says there are complaints from athletes on accommodation, feeding and transportation at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Asaba, Delta State.
Kehinde made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba.
“I am only on-ground to do an assessment even though there are one or two complaints. I think I will report to the appropriate authorities so that they can find solutions to these challenges we are encountering.
“The challenges are not personal; some of them are accommodation issues, feeding and all that. Some have to do with delayed transportation. They are addressing it as we are making the complaints,” said the commissioner.
Kehinde, however, commended the host on security as the apex sporting events are underway concurrently at different venues in the Niger Delta state.
In a separate interview, Bola Magaji, Executive Chairman, Kwara Sports Commission, said the state of logistics at the tournament did not indicate Delta was ready for the festival.
“In the area of facilities, they were not impressive at all; area of accommodation, which is most important, they are not ready as well.
“I hope before they (Ministry of Sports and Youth Development) consider giving festival out, they should ensure the state is capable in terms of facilities.
“You can imagine the athletes are travelling for about 50 km to venues; most of them are tired and they cannot go back.
“We are kept, some of them do not have light; they do not have water. It’s so unfortunate,” said Magaji.
He, however, expressed hope that these lapses would be addressed as the events progress.