18th NSF: Thugs Disrupt Zonal Elimination In Gombe

The chairman of Bauchi State Sports Council, Tanimu Sa’idu
has expressed dissatisfaction with the organisation of the zonal elimination
series for the 18th National Sports Festival held in Gombe State over the
weekend.

According to him, the event was hijacked by thugs as there
was inadequate security arrangement to secure the venue.

He said that thugs harassed and intimidated officials at the
venue.

“The ugly development almost disrupted the event,” Sai’idu
said.

Sa’idu made the expression in an interview with newsmen
which was monitored in Port Harcourt shortly after the zonal elimination.

He stated that the National Sports Commission NSC had given
assurances of adequate security in a meeting held before the commencement of
the competition. But some youths took advantage of the inadequate security to
intimidate match officials which led to the disruption of games like hockey and
basket ball.

While commenting on the decision of officiating officials to
suspend some matches, the chairman explained that NSC was expected to take
charge of everything about the organisation.

He descried as unfair the way and manner NSC handled the
competition.