By Ahmed Attahir, Gusau
Zamfara state contingent may not attend the 2021 National Sports Festival in Edo State following alleged dearth of fund.
Indeed preparations made by the state contingent may also be a waste unless the state government quickly intervene and provide panacea.
The National Sports Festival is scheduled to commence on April 4, 2021 in Edo State, but Friday April 2, 2021 is the arrival day for the athletes and other sports officials.
It was gathered that athletes from Zamfara are in dilemma on whether or not they will participate, notwithstanding intensive preparation made to win laurels for the state.
Specifically, investigation revealed that there is no arrangement by the State Directorate of Sports Development to depart the state for Edo, due to lack of financial mobilisation from the state government.
Some of the athletes billed to participate in the festival who spoke to SINL Nigeria Online Correspondent on condition of anonymity expressed dismay over the situation which they said has never occurred in the past.
“We are not happy with the situation, we are not sure of participating in the Sports Festival in Edo, because there is no funding from the government”.
They however appealled to Governor Bello Matawalle to consider their situation and salvage the situation.
At the time of filing this report, no arrangement was made by the Directorate to indicate that the state contingent will leave the state for Edo State.
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara said the state government has made all necessary arrangements for the contingent to participate in the festival.
state government has procured sports items and equipments for the festival worth millions of naira.
“The fund for logistics of the athletes and other officials of the state Directorate of Sports Development to participate in the event had been earmarked.
“As am speaking to you now, our athletes may leave the state for Edo any moment from today” Dosara said.
