Lagos athletes are protesting the non-payment of awards of the 19th National Sport Festival that took place in Abuja by the Lagos State Sports Commission.
As early as 6 am this morning, hundreds of the athletes took to the streets protesting the non-payment of the awards of Abuja 2018 and delay in payment of their monthly grants.
Related Story: Lagos Athletes Insist On Abuja 2018 Awards To Participate In Edo 2020
According to pictures sent to our correspondents, the peace protest, which commenced at the Telsim Balogun Stadium will lead to the Secretariat of the Lagos state government in Alausa.
In an interview with one of the athletes, who wants to remain unidentified said “ there have been series of interactive session, dialogue with the State Commission but none has yielded the effort of payment from the commission.”
Beyond the non-payment of the Abuja 2018 awards , the athletes said the preparation for Edo 2020 has been shoddy and for the first time in the history of preparation towards the festival , there is no open camp , while the closed camp allowance is low compared to the previous years .
Just few weeks ago in a meeting between the commission and the athletes at the Indoor Sport Hall of the Telsim Balogun stadium, the athletes insist that until the awards of Abuja 2018 is paid, they won’t participate in Edo 2020 .
Lagos came fourth in Abuja 2018 with a total 146 medals, which includes 36 gold, 37 silver and 73 bronze but the athletes is yet to receive awards for their extra-ordinary performances.
Mudashiru Shittu
