Kwara State Sports Commission has denied the allegations of nepotism, favouritism and mismanagement of funds leveled against it by some online medium over the just concluded National Para festival held in Abuja.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji while briefing newsmen today in Ilorin described the allegations as untrue.
The Para athletes had threatened to shutdown Kwara State Stadium Complex, over what they described as “misappropriation of National Para Games funds”.
The National Para Games held between 9th to 16th April, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, in Abuja.
According to the para-athletes, “we are using this medium to draw the attention of the state government over our plight. Kwara state athletes participated at the National Para Games last April and we went through hell. According to our findings, the sum of N20million was released by the state government but the sum of three million got to us”.
“From 20th June, 2022 (Monday), we are going to shut down the economic activities of Kwara State Stadium Complex and nobody will be allowed in until our demands are met. We are calling on well meaning individuals to support our bid to salvage the athletes from poor welfarism. Letters have been written to Kwara State House of Assembly, Kwara State Service Commission, Secretary to the State Government and Government House to notify them of our plight”.
But Mallam Bola Magaji maintained that despite the limited resources of the state government, the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq sustained it’s upward increment in the payment of allowances to the athletes which is higher than what their counterparts from other state earned.
He also noted that the allegations were a deliberate attempt to sway the mind of the members of the public on the laudable efforts and achievements of state government.
The development, according to the Executive Chairman of the Commission, can be described as “corruption fighting back as a result of dismissal of some of the athletes suggestion that money meant for equipment be shared as against getting equipment to enhance effective and efficient training”
The Commission confirmed that the contingents to the Para-festival were paid to the tune of thirty thousand naira per athlete as allowances, explaining that the commission had budgeted for purchase of equipment, coaches, secretaries, helpers, interpreters, medical personnel, drivers and guides for the visually impaired athletes, to assist before, during and after the maiden Para Sports Festival.
