Chairman House Committee on Sports Expresses Concern Over Delayed Payment of Team Nigeria Athletes’ Allowances from Africa Games.
Honorable Ekene Adams, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, has voiced disappointment regarding the delayed payment of allowances to Team Nigeria athletes who participated in the recently concluded Africa Games in Ghana.
Nigeria’s impressive performance at the Games, finishing second behind Egypt and setting a new record with 47 Gold, 33 Silver, and 40 Bronze medals, has been overshadowed by the unresolved issue of unpaid allowances.
Representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, Honorable Ekene Adams expressed his shock over the situation, emphasizing that many of these athletes, who brought pride to the nation in Ghana, are yet to receive their rightful allowances and bonuses.
“It’s disheartening that even days after the Africa Games concluded, some athletes haven’t received their payments,” Honorable Ekene remarked. “This delay is particularly concerning as it occurred before the Easter celebrations. We should be focusing on motivating our athletes, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris.”
He highlighted the impact on the athletes and their families, noting that such delays affect their well-being and morale. “We must prioritize athletes’ welfare to ensure they can perform at their best,” he added.
While acknowledging the Ministry of Sports Development’s role, Honorable Ekene urged swift action to resolve the payment delays before the upcoming Salah break. “Every athlete who represented the country in Ghana deserves timely payment, regardless of whether they receive a Presidential handshake,” he emphasized.
He concluded by urging the Minister to expedite payments, noting that some athletes only received allowances in Nigeria before departing for the Games, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
