By Dianabasi Effiong
Calabar- The Cross River Sports Commission says its contingent could not attend the 2nd National Youth Games in Ilorin because funds were not approved for it by the state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Games began on Sept. 22 and will end later on Thursday at the University of Ilorin, Kwara.
The commission’s Chairman, Orok Duke, who made the disclosure to NAN on Thursday in Calabar, said the body had proposed that 95 athletes and no less than seven officials would feature for the state.
He said that Team Cross River’s participation in the Games was dependent on the state government’s funding of no less than N10 million.
NAN learnt that the money included kitting, feeding, transportation and insurance cover as well as N12,500 participation fee for each athlete.
“Unfortunately, we could not make the Games because no approval was given by the Gov. Ben Ayade,’’ Duke said.
He said the Team’s participation would have been used to ensure young athletes’ readiness for the 19th National Sports Festival to be hosted by Cross River in November.
Asked for his comment, Asu Okang, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, said he could not readily discuss it as he was busy.
He said: “I am in a meeting now. You can hear that I am in a meeting.’’
NAN also learnt that the consequences for states contingents’ failure to attend the Games included N5 million fines and two years suspension.
The Director, Grassroots Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ademola Are, confirmed the punishment.
“Youth Games offer opportunities for the development of youth sports in Nigeria, replacement of ageing athletes and unifying factor in the face of youth restiveness,’’ Are told NAN.
(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)
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