The 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State is facing serious logistical turbulence as the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji, raised alarm over what he described as a major threat to athletes’ performance — the chaotic spread of competition venues.
Speaking to journalists at the Alake Sports Centre, Mogaji painted a concerning picture of athletes racing against time and traffic instead of opponents and records.
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From Babcock University to the Remo Stars Stadium and the MKO Abiola Stadium, the scattered event locations are reportedly wearing athletes down.
“The long distance between venues is affecting the performance of athletes. It’s difficult to manage logistics and ensure full participation,” he warned.
The implications are far-reaching. Delays in transportation, missed warm-up routines, and mental exhaustion from unpredictable travel schedules are taking a toll, with some teams reportedly scrambling to stay on schedule.
Despite the chaos, a silver lining came for Team Kwara as Sidiq Bolaji Sodiq claimed a silver medal in the Wushu Kungfu (Nanquan) event. Mogaji credited the win to the strategic backing of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whose administration ensured the athletes had competitive exposure before the festival.
“The medal is a direct result of the Governor’s foresight and investment in our athletes,” Mogaji noted.
Still, the Commission Chairman’s message was clear: unless urgent measures are taken to streamline venue logistics, the integrity and competitiveness of the festival may be at risk.
With high stakes and national pride on the line, all eyes are now on the festival organizers to address what’s fast becoming a logistical nightmare.
