The Oyo State Special Athletes at the first edition of National Para Games tagged ‘Abuja 2022’, have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to fulfill the monetary pledge he made for their good performance.
The event organised by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development saw Team Oyo finishing second position by garnering 24 gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze, totaling 60 medals behind Team Bayelsa that ended with 31 gold medals, 30 silver and 32 bronze, a total of 93 medals to emerge winners of the Games.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Seun Fakorede who on behalf of Governor received the contingents after their arrival at the government secretariat promised handsome cash rewards for their good representation of the Pace-setter State and sterling performances.
“Although none of the government officials promised us anything before we left; but the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Seun Fakorede who hosted us in his office on the 21st April, promised on behalf of the Governor to reward our efforts monetarily. Some states, such as Bayelsa and Kwara have rewarded their athletes.
“We want the governor who is noted for his love for sports development to remember us because it is now more than two months and we did not hear anything from them. Most of us are on contract appointments with paltry 30 thousand monthly salaries”, said one of the athletes who pleaded for anonymity.
The source added that the leadership of the sport’s council under the Chairmanship of Hon Gbenga Adewusi fondly called ‘Arole’ alongside the general manager Mr. Gboyega Makinde are doing their best to motivate the athletes into good performance and that has been the driving force and the secret of their positive results.
