The chairman house of representatives committee on sports, honourable Ekene Adams, has expressed disappointment over the delay in the payment of allowances of team Nigeria athletes at the recently concluded African games in Accra, Ghana.
Team Nigeria finished second at the games behind Egypt, surpassing their previous record with a total of 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
According to the lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency, it is very sad to note that many of the athletes who made the nation proud in Ghana have not been paid their due allowances and bonuses.
He said, “I am very shocked that up till now some of these athletes have not gotten their money days after the conclusion of the Africa Games.
“For me it is even more worrisome that these athletes did not get their money before the Easter celebration, and I think we should be finding ways to motivate the athletes more so that they can even do more at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“How do we want their family members to feel knowing full well that they couldn’t enjoy the Easter and I think this is the kind of things we need to get right in terms of Athletes welfare.”
Ekene who, himself, is a seasoned sports administrator pleaded with the ministry of sports development to swiftly do the needful and not delay the athlete’s payments more than necessary
He further said, “No sports should be more prioritized than others and these athletes that did the country proud in Ghana deserve at least their money even if they couldn’t get a Presidential handshake.
“I am using this medium further appeal to the Minister to ensure every payment due to the athletes are sorted as soon as possible because I am aware some of them were only given allowances in Nigeria before they departed for the Games.”
