Oyebanji apologies, promises to sanction officials responsible for poor kitting of athletes at NYG

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said that heads would roll in the State Sports Council over the poor kitting and bad treatment meted out to the athletes, who participated in the Seventh National Youths Games in Asaba, Delta State.

Oyebanji described the turn of events at the Games, where the Ekiti athletes were poorly kitted, as an embarrassment to the athletes, their parents, the state, and Ekiti people at home and in the diasporas.

It will be recalled that Ekiti State athletes were poorly kitted during the opening march past for the event, an embarrassing situation that went viral on social media and attracted criticism.

The governor spoke while receiving the Ekiti athletes and their coaches.

The athletes, described as Ekiti Ambassadors, won a total of seven medals comprising two gold medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals at the Games.

Addressing the athletes, Oyebanji said: “I apologise for the inappropriate behaviour of the officials of the council. As a government, we tried to provide for you, but the officials behaved inappropriately for reasons best known to them.

“As a government, we take responsibility. I apologise to all Ekiti people, to you, and to your parents. I am deeply sorry, I am deeply sorry, I am deeply sorry. I can assure you justice will be served appropriately”.

The governor said that in line with the extant rules of the civil service, he had instructed the Head of Service to begin necessary action toward sanctioning anybody involved in the matter to serve as a deterrent to others.

Oyebanji told the athletes: “I have so many photographs on my phone, I know you were not well-fed there. I have photos of where you slept, but I thank God it happened. If it had not happened, we would not have paid attention to you.

“We are going to pay special attention to sports and the vehicle we are going to use is the Sports Commission.

“By next year, we are going to have a functional Indoor Sports Centre. We will work on our stadium, starting from the stadium in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. The emphasis will not be on football alone, but we will go through the value chain”.

The governor, who said sports had gone scientific, advised the youth athletes to be diligent in their studies.

The governor assured the coaches, “As we pay attention to the athletes, we are going to pay attention to the coaches, we will expose you as well”.

Oyebanji told the athletes and coaches that they would get cash rewards.