The Ogun State Government has responded to criticism over the alleged exclusion of Ogun West Senatorial District as a venue for the ongoing National Sports Festival.
The government has been criticised from different quartres, including the opposition party PDP that the Ogun West was marginalised in the festival, alleging that only Ogun East and Ogun Central were favoured
But the Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, addressed the issue in a press conference with sports journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, stating that the decision was not based on marginalisation or politics.
Isiaka explained that the National Sports Festival is a federal event, and the state government had limited input in venue selection.
The Commissioner noted that almost 100% of decisions were taken by the Federal Government,adding that the state had proposed five stadiums, but the federal government decided on the final venues.
Isiaka cited the festival’s rules, which stipulate that events can only take place in two epicenters.
According to him, the decision was not deliberate exclusion of Ogun West, but rather adherence to the rules.
As a native of Yewa, Ogun West, Isiaka assured that he would have taken advantage of any opportunity to benefit his constituency.
He said “For the Yewa or Ogun West, I think one thing I want people to know is that this is the National Sports Festival and not a State sports festival.
“When the activities were about to start, I showed them all the facilities and almost 100% of decisions taken by the Federal Government”.
“Like I said, we have 5 stadiums in the state, and we showed them the five. I’m also aware that there is this clause in their rules that the event will only take place in two epicenters; I’m also aware of”, Isiaka said.
He added “I’m also from Yewa, and there is no way I will see that kind of opportunity in my constituency that I will not do it. So it is not the deliberate action of the Governor because a lot is going on out there, even some of my Kabiesi calling me; I told them that there is no way I will be there and see something that will be more beneficial to us and I will not do it. It is not political at all”.
The commissioner urged the public to see the decision as a matter of following the festival’s rules rather than political marginalization.
