The hopes of Taraba State making it to the zonal elimination of the National Youth Games — set to kick off tomorrow in Gombe State — are hanging by a thread. Reason? An alleged delay in the release of funds by the state government.
Omo, this one weak me! Imagine being ready for action, only for transport and logistics to jam you.
Stranded in Jalingo While Others Arrive
The Taraba contingent — athletes and officials — have been camped at Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, fully prepared and eager to compete. But as of press time, they were still stuck in the state capital instead of being on their way to Gombe.
Meanwhile, teams from other states have already landed at the venue. For Taraba’s athletes, this slow start feels like déjà vu. They recalled how a late departure to the recent National Sports Festival in Ogun State contributed to their poor medal haul.
“We are fully prepared and confident we can win medals if given the chance,” one athlete told DAILY POST, appealing directly to Governor Agbu Kefas to urgently release the needed funds.
Officials Cry Out Over Bottlenecks
According to sports council officials, a formal request for funds had been submitted to the state government through the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Government House. However, progress seems to have stalled.
One official lamented:
“The event begins tomorrow, and we are still here.”
Omo, you can almost feel the frustration in their voices.
Could the Governor Be Unaware?
Interestingly, another official suggested the governor — known for his interest in youth and sports — might not even be aware of the situation, blaming possible bureaucratic bottlenecks.
A senior government source allegedly confirmed that the request for funds had yet to reach the governor’s desk as of the time of filing this report.
If the issue isn’t resolved within hours, Taraba may miss their chance to compete in the zonal eliminations, dashing the hopes of athletes who have been training and dreaming of victory.
