Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, has denied allegations that the state government owes athletes participating in the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, characterizing the recent demonstration at the Games Village as a misrepresentation.

In an exclusive interview with BSN Sports, Isiaka clarified that the protest, which temporarily interrupted activities at Babcock University, was not due to unpaid allowances but rather stemmed from technical difficulties in disbursing payments to athletes through non-commercial bank accounts.

"Some athletes expressed that they had not received their allowances. However, the issue was not the absence of funds — it was related to the transfer of money into accounts held in non-commercial banks," Isiaka explained.

He further noted that minor logistical issues, such as delays in the distribution of tracksuits, had also been overstated, contributing to the misleading narrative of a widespread protest.

"These are typical, minor issues that have already been addressed. Yet, as they were inquiring and seeking information, some individuals misinterpreted it as a protest. Currently, there is no such situation occurring anymore," he stated.

In defending the state government’s actions, the commissioner emphasized that athletes had received the allowances promised by the governor and questioned why other states were not subjected to the same level of scrutiny.

"Some individuals are even asserting that the athletes are owed ₦50,000. This is false. The funds in question are what the governor pledged to them for qualifying to represent the state. I am not aware of any outstanding allowances," he asserted.

Isiaka recognized that inquiries and unrest are common, particularly during large-scale events like the National Sports Festival, but urged the public to differentiate between genuine concerns and misinformation.