By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.
The ongoing 20th edition of the National Sports Festival in Benin , Edo state capital is soaked in confusion owing to the diametrical statements attributed to the host state and the federal ministry of youths and sports development.
Edo state government late on Wednesday issued a statement disclosing it’s resolve to bring the games to an abrupt end on Thursday by 12 noon.
The statement issued by the project manager media and communication, Edo 2020, Ebomhana Musa alleged that the federal government has failed to redeem it’s financial pledge to the state.
Musa warned that the games villages would be brought to an abrupt closure by 12 noon on Thursday.
The federal ministry of youths and sports development in a statement issued on Thursday morning(today) directed athletes and coaches to continue with their business at the games.
The statement signed by an assistant director in the ministry, Ramon Balogun said the host state due to Covid -19 had requested for financial assistance from. the federal government through the ministry.
He explained that “the ministry has since been at work to secure the financial assistance , which it believe is being processed.”
Our correspondent reports that the diametrical statements have kept athletes , coaches and residents in a confused state.
An athlete ,who spoke under the condition of customary anonymity said “we are all confused, honestly, we have suffered enough, no enough food at the games villages and now they are saying , we may leave, so all our efforts and training will be wasted.
” we are beginning governor Obaseki and president Buhari not to let us down.”
Further, residents have continued to dig for information to ascertain the true situation.
A shop owner in Adolor area in the city, Samuel said ” this is embarrassing , they want to embarrass our state.,”
A commercial bus driver , who plies Ugbowu , Ring road routes in the ancient kingdom said ” how can they do this to us, imagine , our governor should not allow them to disgrace us ooh.,”
