Kogi State may not participate in the 2016 National Youth Games scheduled to kick off in Ilorin today due to lack of funds.
SavidNews gathered that Kogi is one of the 33 states accredited for the NYG 2016, but the dreams of its athletes from participation at the national age-grade championship hangs in the balance.
Team Kogi athletes earlier scheduled to depart for Ilorin on Thursday, had their trip called off following the failure to secure funds from the state government.
Despite assurance on Team Kogi’s participation given by the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Arome Adoji, sources close to the ministry, revealed the contrary.
It was learnt that top officials of the sports ministry were unsure of securing funds until Monday, September 26 – already mid-way into the event.
Team Kogi, it will be recalled, won one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the maiden NYG in Abuja in 2013.
Meanwhile, a fine of N5million and two-year ban from all national sporting events will be handed any accredited state that boycotts the event.