A Joint Technical Meeting, comprising Directors of Sports from all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as well as top stakeholders, was earlier fixed for November 20 to 23 in Ogun State for inspection of all the facilities built or renovated for the Games. It was later postponed to December 11 and 13.
However, the date has again been postponed, creating an ‘impression’ that all may not be well with the facilities.
A letter, dated December 6, 2024, tagged National Sports Festival Ogun 2024, (NSC/NSFPS/22ndNFS/COR/VOL1/, obtained by The Guardian, yesterday, states: “I wish to refer to our earlier letter Ref No: FMSD/NSFPS/22ndNSF/COR/VOL1 dated December 1, 2024, on the above subject and to inform you that the 1st Joint Technical Meeting has been postponed.”
According to the letter signed by the Secretary of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 22nd NSF, Mrs Thecla Opara, the Joint Technical Meeting will now hold between Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday December 19, 2024, while departure of delegates is on Friday December 20.
The letter, however, warned all the delegates to be financially prepared for the visit to Ogun State. It said: “Please note that all expenses associated with your participation at the meeting shall be borne by your state.”
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with The Guardian, yesterday, expressed sadness over the turn of events in the build up to Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival.
One of them said: “The government and people of Ogun State should have known that the National Sports Festival is held every two years. The last edition was held in Asaba in 2022, and when Ogun won the bid to host the 22nd edition, we thought it was going to take place in 2024. They came up with an excuse that Ogun State government entered an agreement with Babcock University to accommodate athletes in their hostel, and as such, the Games will hold in January, 2025.
“We understood. Now, the Joint Technical Meeting to inspect facilities is being postponed for the third time in December, and January is around the corner. The first circular was November 20 and 23, while the second was December 11-13. It’s like something is not right somewhere.”
Perhaps, one major issue of concern to the stakeholders is the part of the letter, which directed them to prepare themselves financially for the visit to Ogun State.
One official said: “I remember when Edo State hosted the 20th edition in 2020, the state catered for hotel and transportation expenses of all delegates to the Joint Technical Meeting. Delta State also did same in the build up to the 21st edition, Asaba 2022 as well as the last National Youth Games also held in Asaba.
“To me, telling the states’ governments to cater for expenses of delegates to Ogun State is like saying that you don’t want many delegates to show up for the inspection of facilities. The year is winding down, and most government offices are no longer accepting files concerning officials’ trip outside their state. If Ogun State is not ready to host, they should let us know.”
Efforts to speak with Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, were unsuccessful yesterday.
The Guardian recalls that Isiaka had assured earlier this year that facilities at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu, and Alake Sports Centre would be ready ahead of the January 2015 date of the National Sports Festival
Source: The Guardian
