A new vista may have been introduced into the protracted and frequent disagreements between the The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the ACN-led government in the state as the former has described the hosting of the just concluded 18th National Sports festival in the state as far below expectation.
In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, the party lampooned the state government for falling short of Lagosians expectations “because the monumental monies believed to be realised from the Government and Non Government sectors of over N10 billion did not reflect in the opening ceremony, accommodation, meals, closing ceremony and the medals won by the state athletes.”
According to the party, “It is indeed so embarrassing that with the available resources, enough to adequately organise the sports festival, athletes were deprived meals, accommodation, fair officiating and standard Sports facilities to perform at their best.
“Funnily and in a very lazy man’s approach, the Local Organising Committee, LOC, blamed the inadequacies on alleged over accreditation of athletes! This is indeed an admission of failure and inability to properly run a State affair”
In addition, the party pointed out that the state athletes did not do well because they were not “motivated and thus could not have sacrificed in order to win enough gold for the state, thereby placing the state in a distant 3rd Position.
“Similarly, the Spectators were not excited and the apathy was apparent as the games centres did not enjoy appreciable spectators which also took shine out of the games”, it stated.
Describing the performance as mediocrity, the party said the “ACN and the Lagos State Government is further exposed and indeed now threatening the Centre of Excellence pride of the State.”
It, however, commended athletes who represented the state for their selfless performances calling on Lagos State House of Assembly to “cause an immediate Public hearing into the activities of the LOC, especially in the areas of income & expenditure.”
