Heads to roll in Ekiti over kits, poor treatment of athletes

Ekiti State athletes during the opening ceremony of Asaba 2023 National Youth Games.

• Oyebanji receives athletes, promises establishment of indoor facilities
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said that heads would roll in the State Sports Council over the poor kitting and bad treatment meted to the athletes, who participated in the Seventh National Youths Games in Asaba, Delta State.

Oyebanji, who described the turn of events at the Games, where the Ekiti athletes were poorly kitted, as an embarrassment to the athletes, their parents, state and Ekiti people at home and in the diasporas.

It will be recalled that Ekiti State athletes were poorly kitted during the opening march past for the event, an embarrassing situation which went viral in the social media and attracted criticisms.

The governor spoke while receiving the Ekiti athletes and their coaches on Wednesday.

The athletes, described as Ekiti Ambassadors, won a total of seven medals comprising two gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals at the Games.

Addressing the athletes, Oyebanji said: “I apologise for the inappropriate behaviour of the officials of the council. As a government, we tried to provide for you, but the officials behaved inappropriately for reasons best known to them.

“As a government, we take responsibility. I apologise to all Ekiti people, to you and to your parents. I am deeply sorry, I am deeply sorry, I am deeply sorry. I can assure you justice will be served appropriately”.

The governor said that in line with the extant rules of the civil service, he had instructed the Head of Service to begin necessary action towards sanctioning anybody involved in the matter to serve as deterrent to others.

Oyebanji told the athletes: “I have