Athletes and officials of Ondo state did not get paid allowances at the just concluded 5th National Youth Games in Ilorin.
Some athletes who confided in www.aclsports.com alleged that the General Manager of Ondo state sports council, Fabuluje Wande and some of his management members conspired to delay their entitlements.
An athlete said, “We heard the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu released the sum of 10 million naira but the team did not get a dime at the National Youth Games. Most of the athletes and coaches are returning to their various houses empty-handed. The General Manager of Ondo state sports council, Fabuluje Wande and some of his management members and the accountant have failed to explain to us how they spent 10 million naira.
“We are calling on the governor to rescue us from this continuous humiliation from the hands of the sports council”.
Another athlete name withheld explained to www.aclsports.com that the money they received from the sports council was the balance of the camp allowance from Akure.
She said, “I know the General Manager will make excuses on his part but I want to make the world know that the money given to us at is the balance of camp allowance from Akure. The allowance for the National Youth Games proper is yet to be to us”.
Reacting to the allegations, the general manager of Ondo State Sports Council, Fabuluje Wande, has denied a report that the council is owing athletes
“The State Government approved N20 million but only N10 million was released for the National Youth Games, that is why the coaches have not been paid 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.
According to sources, the wife of Ondo state governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu appealed to the state contingent to return back to the state in order to sort things out.
Ondo ended the competition in 7th position with 8 gold, 9 silver and 10 bronze medals.
