Athletes from Kogi State participating in the National Festival in Ogun State, known as the Gateway Games 2024, stagged a protest due to the non-payment of their allowances. 

Speaking to reporters at Babcock University Ilisan-Remo on behalf of her fellow athletes, Kogi State athlete Vivian Eberechukwu expressed her disappointment regarding the treatment they received from Kogi State Commissioner for Sports, Anyebe Aridaojo Monday, who allegedly withheld their allowances. 

Eberechukwu, an indigene of Enugu State representing Kogi, shared that the athletes were promised a payment of 70,000 naira but only received 30,000 naira. 

She called on the Kogi State Government to relieve the Commissioner of his duties, citing his failure to adequately support the athletes. 

Eberechukwu, who competes in table tennis, also criticized the Kogi State Government for not providing sports kits and equipment for the athletes. 

The table tennis player proposed the establishment of a Sports Commission in Kogi State to help streamline processes within the sector. 

In addition, Celestina Alexander, a boxer from Kogi State and a bronze medalist, also expressed her dissatisfaction with their situation and urged the state government to address their concerns promptly, especially since they have won various medals that bring pride to the state. 

The boxer highlighted the dedication she put into her training and retraining to earn her medal, only to be mistreated through the non-payment of their entitlements.