Date: 2022-06-16

Kwara State athletes at the just-concluded National Paralympic Games in Abuja have accused the Kwara State Sports Commission of embezzling funds meant for them at the event, The PUNCH reports.

The angry athletes threatened to shut down the Kwara State Stadium over the misappropriation of N20m released by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the Games.

The athletes, in a petition forwarded to the governor, alleged that the Kwara State Sports Commission gave each participant the sum of N31,000 for the 10-day programme out of the N20m that was approved for the competition.

They also threatened to shut down the economic activities inside the stadium if the funds were not properly accounted for.

“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 passed through hell. According to our findings, the sum of N20m was released by the state government but the sum of N3m got to us.

“From 20th June, 2022 (Monday), we are going to shut down the economic activities of Kwara State Stadium 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.”

In his reaction, chairman of the commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, maintained that despite the limited resources of the state government, the commission sustained its upward increment in the payment of allowances to the athletes, which he claimed was higher than what their counterparts earned in other states.

He added that each athlete was paid an allowance of N3,000 per day against the normal N2,000 per day.

He explained that the commission took 92 athletes and officials instead of the approved 45-man contingent to the competition, which lasted for eight days, adding that the payment of allowances to each of the athletes was extended to 10 days.

“The athletes to the Paralympic festival were paid to the tune of N30,000 as allowances,” explaining that the “commission budgeted for purchase of equipment, coaches , secretaries, helpers, interpreters, medical personnel, drivers and guides for visually-impaired athletes to assist the contingent in the championship.”

The chairman noted that the allegation was a deliberate attempt to sway the mind of the members of the public on the laudable efforts and achievements of the state government.

“The development 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,” he said.