EXCLUSIVE: Athletes lament N30, 000 BFN allowance
Nigeria's contingent at the All Africa Senior Championship in Port
Harcourt, emerge over all champions at the final set matches to claim Gold in
the Men's and Women's Single. While in the team event, Team Nigeria won gold
for the All Africa Mixed Team event with a nervy 2-3 victory over defending
champions Mauritius.
The athletes lamented their frustration that the board of Badminton
Federation of Nigeria has failed in their promise despite putting extra effort
on the mat to emerge champions after so many years badminton was last
experience in Nigeria.
Our source who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared his frustration
in an exclusive interview with www.kelvianomedia.blogspot.com.ng said “we are
unhappy with the way things are going regarding our payment and money promise
us by well-meaning Nigerians even the Rivers State Government.
Another athlete, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “Just
imagine getting N30, 000 as tournament allowance after all the efforts put into
the game at an international event for that matter.”
“I felt pained that the total money we got during camping as camp
allowance is not up to N80, 000, lodging us in an expensive hotel with
expensive meal and at the end of the day we get paid tournament allowance of
ordinary N30, 000 after months. I felt like crying when I got the alert”. The
athlete lamented in pains.
An athlete, who also pleaded anonymity, added, “Everyone is aware
of the $100,000 promised by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike during the
closing ceremony of the championship, what really happened with the money that
we haven't heard anything about it?. The athlete added.
However, the national captain of the badminton players Eneajo Abba told one of our
correspondents that the Badminton Federation would do more once the federation
gets money the ministry promised the team.
“I believe they would do more, initially some people were saying we won’t
see anything once the tournament is over, even after a month and I never lost
hope. So, contrary to what people thought we got response from them. Now I still
believe they won’t disappoint us”. Enejo Abah told Kelviano Media
“Actually that’s not all, they are still paying us once they get the
money the ministry promised, for now we’ll be patient and wait for the full pay”.
“Some
funds are yet to be released but monies will be added to their allowance which I
can’t say the specific amount that will be added later on. The money given to
them was to ease the tension at the moment until funds are released and
additional allowances and bonuses will be paid to the players once money is
released”. Fatai disclosed.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Chairman of the Players Association of
Badminton, Fatai Bobo said that due to paucity of funds and players lamenting,
the board unanimously paid the N30, 000 allowances to ease the tension at the
moment.
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