Ogun Athletes Protest Over Unfulfilled N411m Cash Pledge After National Sports Festival

Ogun athletes protested over the non-fulfillment of a cash pledge totaling N411 million made by the state government for their participation and medals won at the 2024 National Sports Festival, where the state eventually finished second overall in the medal table with 239 medals. Governor Dapo Abiodun had announced cash rewards of N2.5 million for gold, N1.5 million for silver, N1 million for bronze, and N50,000 for every participating athlete.

However, ten months after the festival, the athletes claimed that none of them had received their prize money, leading to the protest at the MKO Abiola Stadium. The athletes highlighted their financial struggles and pleaded for the state government's intervention, as they were unable to sustain themselves or continue training without the promised funds.

The athletes also mentioned that similar issues had occurred during the previous year's youth festival, where no medalists received their prize money.