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Thousands of people, who had followed the media glitz on the Gateway Games and expected high-class organisation, were, yesterday, disappointed on the first day of the 15th National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun Sta
e. The birthday ceremony of Governor Gbenga Daniel, the chieftaincy title ceremony and the other ceremonies, outside sports event, attracted a lot of crowd to the MKO Stadium, that those who matter in sports, could not take part in their own event. Among those affected are athletes, journalists and some officials.
They were all outside the stadium, struggling to gain entrance and thereby, turned victims of pilfering and other kinds of assault.
Politicians, thousands of the Governor's well-wishers, thronged the stadium and took over everywhere and security-men, overzealously, accommodated them and sent away many of those who should be in the stadium.
It was simply confusion galore and badly affected, also, were sports journalists, many of whom, were still outside at the time of the opening ceremony, which was taking place, with no hope of watching the ceremony live. Tunde Sulaimon, the Sports Editor of This Day, was among those who lost personal belongings, like his wallet, containing some cash, ID card and other important items.
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Niran Malaolu, made frantic efforts on phone, to ensure that journalists went into the stadium but those manning the gate, were still adamant and the journalists, then tried to have fun, outside, chatting and having some drinks. Those at the gate, did not respect the invitation given the journalists.
The ceremony, which was expected to start at 5pm, could not take off as scheduled as President Olusegun Obasanjo, arrived at 6:45pm, thereby, delaying the start of the main ceremony.
However, the poor planning and confusion that characterised the opening day, it may not be the total assessment of the organisation, since, it would be premature to reach conclusion after just one day.
Athletes and officials are still hopeful that they would have great experience during the Games, as the local organisers, have put in place some good facilities.
Inside the stadium, various athletes of state contingents, were asked to line out as at 5pm, for an event that started more than two hours later.
They appeared tired when the event started and were not steady as they roamed in the mainbowl and not giving a good picture of a grand ceremony.
As typical with Nigeria, speeches took more time than the actual entertainment ceremony that should mark the opening of such an event. |
