Team Ondo athletes has made a passionate appeal to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu concerning their welfare ahead of the 20th National Sports Festival.
The General Captain of Ondo state athletes, Sunday Akinbo told www.aclsports.com that athletes who won medals at the 2018 National Sports Festival are discouraged because the state did not hosted them after making the state proud.
Akinbo said the athletes have tried to make inquiries concerning the hosting but every moved were blocked by some top government officials.
The National senior men’s volleyball player said the athletes are ready to make the state proud at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Edo state
Akinbo on behalf of the athletes appreciated the governor for his efforts towards the repositioning of sports in the state.
He said, “Ondo state who represented the state at the last National Sports Festival and won medals have not been attended nor awarded as the tradition of the state. After inquiries through due channels all efforts fell on deaf ears. We wish you will use your good office to look into this matter for its what motivates us to excel in our work.
The award issue has dampened the minds of athletes and we wish you will come to our rescue so we can have good frame of mind towards the coming games in Edo state.
He revealed to www.aclsports.com that the management of the sports council is yet to release the balance from the Zonal eliminations held in Lagos.
Akinbo said, “We were told camp starts today (Wednesday) and as I speak, we are yet to b paid our balance from the elimination Phase we attended in Lagos state. The sports council management has proven hard to discuss with and this is one of the reasons I am reacting through the media.
“The athletes who will represent the state have not received their salaries for the past three month and most of them borrow in order to attend training sessions. We appeal to His Excellency to wade into this pending issue so that they athletes can give their best at the Games”.
The 20th edition of the National Sports Festival is scheduled to take place from 22nd March to 1st April, 2020 in Edo state.
