Ahmad Hamisu Gwale – Kano
The Kano State government has failed to fulfill its promise of paying the contingent funds for the concluded Second Edition National Para Games 2023 held in Abuja this Month.
The Independent Mirror reported that the State Para athletes, coaches, officials, health officials and the journalists who spent the whole week covering the tournament have expressed dissatisfaction.
The report said the state government, through the state ministry of youths and sports, is yet to pay members of the state contingent on their owed dues.
Recall that the Kano supervising commissioner for youths and sports, Safiyanu Hamza Kachako, reiterated that the Kano Government will pay the allowances on Wednesday, 20th December.
Safiyanu Kachako, also the Kano State Commissioner for Rural Development, confirmed this in a Press Conference at the Sports Commission office on Tuesday, where he assured that the money would be paid.
Kachako, said that the problem comes as a result of exchanging the new Secretary to the Government of Kano State, which necessitated the delay of the release of funds.
The issue has made media headlines, causing the state government unwarranted embarrassment in sports circles and the public at all levels.
Eerlier on Thursday, December 14, 2023 The Independent Mirror reported that the Kano State Government, through the acting Chairman Of Sports Commission, Malam Bala Sani, has declared Wednesday as the day they will settle the payment of the team’s allowance.
Malam Bala who stated this in his interview with Journalists last week when the Kano team left the Federal City of Abuja after concluding the tournament.
But until yesterday Wednesday, reports revealed that the Kano State government has yet to pay the allowances for the contingent.
Indeed, the Sports Writers association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter, frustrated, issued a press statement narrating the ordeals suffered by the state contingent at the games.
The chapter also urges the state government to investigate the allotment and use of the funds allegedly released from the state coffers, to prosecute the games.
Recall that the Kano State Athletics team in the National Para Games 2023 in Abuja, won 18 Gold medals, 12 Silver and 17 Bronze, which made them 47 medals total at the tournament.
The Independent Mirror reported that the games were organized by the Ministry of Sport Development, scheduled from 8 to 14 December at the Moshood Abioloa National Stadium, Abuja.
Kano State competed in 12 out of 15 games held in the competition, which includes Para Soccer, Amputee Football, Para Tablet-Tennis, Shooting, Para Weight Lifting, Para Taekwondo, Para Canoeing, Sitting Volleyball and Para Swimming.
The Kano State emerged in 3rd position in the recent Games, while Bayelsa State emerged as Champions of the games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 29 bronze with 74 medals in total.
Also, the Abia State team became the second with 35 Medals, including 16 Gold, 8 Silver and 11 Bronze.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2nd Edition National Para Games 2023, Minister of Sport Development Senator John Owan Enoh lauded the remarkable performance of the talented players.
Many players from different states who participated in the competition show their talent to win the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the competition, including Kano athlete Ibrahim Abubakar, who won gold in the men’s 10-meter shot.
Also, Bilkisu Isyaku Ibrahim from the Kano State team, won the Gold Medal in the Women’s 10-Meter Shot, Gbengay Osinowo also won gold in the Para Table-Tennis.
