Over 80 athletes employed by the Osun State Sports Council recently staged a protest by barricading the entrance to the Osogbo City Stadium. The athletes expressed their dissatisfaction with the alleged inadequate attention given to their welfare by the state government. Despite appeals, the athletes refused to vacate the entrance, causing disruption for stadium employees attempting to access their offices.The protesting athletes claimed that they were not duly rewarded for their achievements in representing the state and winning medals in 2012.
The protesters also raised concerns about the lack of job opportunities provided by the sports council, despite vacancies being available. Islamiyat Yusuf, a weightlifter and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, expressed her disappointment with the inadequate training facilities and poor welfare packages for athletes.
“We are here to voice our grievances and fight for our rights regarding athlete rewards, training facilities, and the absence of employment opportunities for athletes under the state government,” Yusuf stated. “Athletes are enduring hardship here. Many of us have relocated to other states with better welfare packages. Even as a Commonwealth medalist, the training facilities I have access to are far from satisfactory.”
In the midst of the protest, Rotimi Dunmoye, the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, was seen attempting to appease the protesters but declined to comment on the matter.
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