No fewer than 80 athletes working with the Osun State Sports Council recently barricaded the entrance to the Osogbo City Stadium in protest of the state government’s alleged poor disposition to their welfare.
During the protest, workers at the stadium were prevented from accessing their offices, as the athletes refused to leave the entrance despite appeals.
The protesters alleged that they were not rewarded for winning medals while representing the state in 2012.
They noted that the sports council also refused to offer them job opportunities whenever there were vacancies to be filled.
Weightlifter and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Islamiyat Yusuf, who was part of the protest, lamented the lack of facilities for training and poor welfare package for the athletes.
“We are here to express our feelings and fight for our rights regarding the reward for athletes, facilities for training and lack of employment opportunities for athletes working with the state government,” Yusuf said.
“Athletes are suffering here. Majority of us have already moved to other states with better welfare packages. Even as a Commonwealth medalist, if you see where I am training, it is nothing to write home about.”
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Osun State Sports Council, Rotimi Dunmoye, who was seen appealing to the protesters, declined comments on the issue.
