Bayelsa Pays Athletes To Avert Boycott

In a quick move to avert  games boycott by its athletes at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, authorities of the Bayelsa State Sports Council have paid allowances to athletes and officials.

The disclosure was made by the Director of Media in the state’s sports council, Clinton Thompson in a telephone chat with The Tide on Wednesday.

He told The Tide that the move was to boost the morale of athletes and at the same time underscore the readiness of the state in topping the medals table.

Prior to the release of the fund, athletes from the state had threatened to boycott the games if their allowances were not paid immediately and their kits provided.

But Thompson dismissed such views saying the state is poised to win the competition and would not fail to boost the morale of its participants, adding that those contracted to supply the kits would soon deliver.

He said, “my brother everything is in order now. We don’t have any problem in our camp as I’am talking with you because all the required things for the games have come and we would soon commence distribution.” Thompson however expressed regrets over delay by the contracting firm to provide kits due to logistics shortfalls even though government had paid ahead of time. The former General Manager of Radio Bayelsa expressed confidence that his state would perform excellently considering the level of preparation.

He said that, “As far as I’ am concerned we are the best prepared team in this sports festival apart from Delta State that trained its athletes abroad.”

Thompson however wished the host state, River State the best of luck in the games, stressing that the organisation is above average.