National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Kwara State Government has dismissed allegations of Marginalising para athletes following a protest where the athletes locked the stadium gate in Ilorin, accusing Coach Bola Mogaji, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission (KSC), of maltreatment.
Led by Teslim Balogun and Kudirat Imam Fulani, the athletes claimed they faced Marginalisation, inadequate stipends, and lack of employment opportunities despite their achievements for the state.
They also accused Coach Mogaji of removing Bilikis Abolore from the KSC board and underreporting funds allocated for competitions.
Coach Mogaji, however, refuted these claims, stating that the protest was a response to reforms by the Commission, which dissolved the non-statutory board, affecting Abolore and others.
He explained that stipends are disbursed by the office of the Secretary to the State Government, not the Commission, and reiterated that the government will not pay board members no longer with the Commission.
The KSC provided a list of 18 coaches and athletes on its payroll, including para athletes, despite an employment embargo.
Mogaji also denied accusations of underreporting competition funds, asserting that he has always declared the approved amounts.
The government has intervened, promising to address the grievances of the para athletes.
The stadium has since been reopened, and steps are being taken to resolve the matter, with assurances given to the athletes of continued support.
