Kwara para-athletes, sports commission tango over alleged neglect

Special athletes, comprising male and female para-athletes in Kwara state on Monday staged a peaceful protest over alleged maltreatment and neglect by the state’s sports commission.

The athletes, who barricaded major entrances leading to the state stadium complex, Ilorin to seek the government’s attention on their needs, accused the sports commission of depriving them of employment and their entitlements.

The protest, which lasted a few hours, denied many people from gaining entry into the stadium, especially workers and traders inside the stadium, as the aggrieved athletes said that the executive chairman of the commission, Mallam Bolakale Mogaji, should improve their welfare.

Speaking with journalists, one of the leaders of the athletes, Felix Oyadiran, appealed to the state government to intervene.

“We blocked the gate because we’re being denied our rights. We’re not fighting the government, we only want our welfare improved. We don’t want to beg on the streets. We’re appealing to the Governor to come to our aid and look into our matter.”

Meanwhile, the executive chairman of the state Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Mogaji, has cleared the air on the insinuations made by the para-athletes in the state.

Mallam Bolakale revealed that he had always supported the para-athletes before, during and after various national championships.

He said the Sports Commission planned to visit the state House of Assembly on July 2 to ensure legislation on the welfare of the athletes.

Mogaji denied allegations of non-payment of allowance, saying all their allowances had been given to them as when due.

The chairman, while reacting to the complaint on demand for award and employment, explained that the commission had employed about six of the athletes, promising that the government would award them very soon.