Heavy Security Presence As Shutdown of National Sports Festival By Protesting Ogun Athletes Continues
As earlier reported by SportsRations’ correspondent Nsikakabasi Akpan, the ongoing protest by Ogun State athletes at the 22nd National Sports Festival has entered a tense new phase this morning.
Athletes representing the host state have refused to vacate the gates of the Games Village, located on the Babcock University campus, in protest over unpaid allowances. Despite the arrival of the Assistant Ogun State Commissioner of Police, ACP Alabi Akintoye who attempted to persuade the athletes to disperse and allow access for other teams, the athletes remain defiant.
Chanting loudly and in unison, they declared:
“We no go gree o”
“We want all our money”
“No gree for anybody”
“Let the Governor or Commissioner for Sports come and talk to us or send our allowances.”
The protest has effectively brought the National Sports Festival to a standstill, as no team is being allowed to enter or exit the Games Village. Events scheduled for this morning have been disrupted.
As of 9:30am on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Security has been significantly beefed up at the Babcock University campus, the hub of this year’s National Sports Festival. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police is now leading a heavy security contingent at the scene. However, their presence has not swayed the protesting athletes, who continue to block access points and insist on full payment of their allowances before any movement can resume.
SportsRation is on ground and can exclusively confirm that all Festival proceedings are currently paused pending resolution of the standoff.
