Athletes representing Ebonyi State at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State have cried out over poor treatment, neglect, and a lack of basic support from officials assigned to their welfare.
In a widely circulated account believed to be from one of the athletes, a basketball player shared a detailed narrative of the hardships they’ve endured. According to the message, the basketball team had to personally fund their transportation to the camp at GTC Agba and provide for their feeding throughout the camping period. Many of them are students who had to obtain permission from school authorities to represent the state.
On the day of departure to Ogun, each athlete was reportedly given N10,000. The message also alleged that they were promised an additional N60,000 for the stress and inconvenience endured—an amount yet to be paid as of the time of writing.
Further claims indicate that the athletes have not been provided with jerseys or canvas shoes, making it difficult to prepare properly for their games. The food served is said to be insufficient for athletes who require balanced and high-energy meals to perform at peak levels.
The player lamented, “We’re going broke, the food they’re serving isn’t enough for an athlete, we need money to sort ourselves when hungry.”
In another message, one of the athletes appealed for public intervention, stating, “We Ebonyians are being treated badly. Other states are seriously pitying us. Help us talk to the government, voice of the people.”
In contrast to other states’ contingents—who reportedly received full kits, proper feeding, and allowances of over ₦100,000—the Ebonyi athletes claim they were sent without jerseys, canvas shoes, or sufficient support. “The food they’re serving us isn’t enough for an athlete,” one person complained. “We need money to sort ourselves when hungry.”
This situation has sparked outrage among observers, who say the treatment of athletes representing their state on a national stage reflects poorly on sports development in Ebonyi.
As of the time of this report, the Ebonyi State Government and Ministry of Sports are yet to issue an official statement.
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