Stakeholders in the sports sector have criticised the composition of the Ondo State Government delegation to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, alleging that some individuals with little or no relevance to sports administration were included at the expense of athletes, coaches and key sports officials.
They also alleged that the trip, which would not have cost the state government not less than over N90 million was expended on what they called a ‘Jamboree trip’
They found it funny that with no funding for athletes’ participation in national competitions and poor support for sports development in the state, they state government could approve such trips for individuals with no knowledge about sports administration
The stakeholders, who expressed their views in separate comments, questioned the inclusion of some political appointees not related to sports and non-appointees of the goverment in the trip, saying recognised sports administrators, members and other key sports stakeholders were excluded from the delegation.
“Athletes in Ondo State are struggling, many have missed national competitions because of lack of funds, yet the government sponsored a delegation that included people with no known role in sports.”
Another said, “Of what benefit is this trip to Ondo athletes who could not attend national competitions due to lack of funds?”
A stakeholder also lamented the state of sports development, saying many athletes and coaches who had represented Nigeria and brought honours to Ondo State over the years remained unrecognised and unsupported.
They further alleged that inadequate funding, poor sports facilities and lack of equipment had continued to hinder sports development in the state.
The critics called on the state government to prioritise funding for athletes, coaches and sporting programmes, rather than what they described as unnecessary official trips.
Those on the said trip includes; The Special Adviser on Communication and strategy, Allen Sowore, former SSA on signage and Adevertisement, Yomi Oyekan, Dimeji Abimbola, SA to the sports commissioner, among others
Stakeholders believed that a state without a proper or standard stadium and without any athlete producer from the state at the competition have no business wasting tax payers money on such expensive trip.
The state goverment is urged to get their priorities right and ensure proper investment in sports, rather than paying Lips service ro sports development.
