By Aliyu DANLADI
Athletes of Team Bayelsa to the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) on Sunday in Abuja during the closing ceremony embarked on a protest over the non-payment of their allowances.
The athletes were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions while taking their turn during the march-past event of the closing ceremony.
The placards had inscriptions such as “Team Bayelsa, hungry we came, (but) must we go back hungry?’’ and “Team Bayelsa came empty, came fifth, go empty. Why? Bayelsa athletes turn beggars in Abuja”.
One of the athletes, who pleaded anonymity, later said the experience they have had was a bad one.
“We have had to beg for money from our fellow athletes to survive,’’ he said.
The athlete then urged the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson to immediately come to their aid because they were stranded in Abuja.
He said their protest was also to attract the attention of well-meaning individuals in order for them to come to their aid.
No official of Team Bayelsa was however ready to react to the claims by the athletes, claiming they were not aware of the situation.
The closing ceremony of the 19th NSF was attended by many dignitaries, including the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung.
Others in attendance were Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Delta’s Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.
