NSC Denies Athlete Mistreatment Claims, Criticizes Asaba Camp Protest
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has strongly refuted allegations of ill-treatment and unpaid allowances made by home-based athletes who were decamped from the 2026 Commonwealth Games training camp in Asaba, Delta State. The athletes staged a protest over the weekend, claiming they were sent home without receiving promised payments after six weeks in camp.
Protest Over Alleged Unpaid Allowances
A viral video showed athletes lamenting that they were decamped without receiving their allowances, alleging they were given only N75,000 to cover transport costs home after weeks of intensive training. The protest highlighted growing tensions between athletes and sports authorities regarding welfare and financial support.
NSC Director General's Response
NSC Director General Bukola Olopade described the protest as "unfair" and stated that the decamped athletes actually received about N170,000 each, not N75,000 as claimed. "It is unfair for the athletes to paint both the NSC and AFN in bad light," Olopade told The Guardian. "The decamped athletes got about N170,000 each, and they were well treated all through the duration of their camp in Asaba."
Olopade denied all allegations of poor treatment, inadequate feeding, and substandard living conditions. "These complaints by the athletes that they were poorly treated, inadequately fed and housed in poor living conditions are not true because we monitored them from time to time," he emphasized.
Focus on Future Opportunities
The NSC Director General urged athletes to maintain perspective about their careers. "These are athletes that the NSC is banking on for medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, so why would we treat them badly? I want the athletes to realise that the fact they couldn't make the cut for the Commonwealth Games is not the end of their career."
Olopade encouraged athletes to continue developing their skills for future opportunities. "It means they have to work harder on their speed and techniques because they may be called upon one day in the build up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. My advice to the athletes is to look at the bigger picture of their athletics career and not this Commonwealth Games camp only."
AFN President Confirms Payment Delay
Meanwhile, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President Tonobok Okowa confirmed there was a delay in payment of athletes' allowances but denied any financial misconduct or welfare neglect. Okowa maintained that all funds were properly approved and disbursed by the NSC with full accountability intact.
"There was no diversion or misuse of funds," Okowa stated, adding that records remain open for scrutiny. He also debunked claims of poor living conditions, revealing that athletes were housed in a well-rated hotel and trained in facilities that were jointly inspected and approved by officials before camp began.
Additional Welfare Support Provided
Okowa further explained that he personally stepped in to provide additional welfare support, ensuring athletes experienced no shortfall during the camp. The AFN attributed the payment hitch to third-party processing issues rather than negligence, stating that all athletes and coaches have now been fully paid with athletes prioritized in line with the "Athlete-First Policy."
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in Nigerian sports administration regarding athlete welfare and financial transparency as the country prepares for international competitions.
