THUGS FRUSTRATE GOMBE SPORTS FESTIVAL

By NBF News

The Chairman Bauchi State Sports Council, Alhaji Tanimu Sa'idu has expressed dissatisfaction over the security arrangement at the just concluded zonal elimination series organized by the National Sports Commission held in Gombe State alleging that the event was hijacked by thugs.

Sa'idu who lamented that there were no adequate security personnel to police the festival said the development gave the thugs opportunity to harass and intimidate officials. He said the ugly development almost disrupted the event.

He stated that despite the assurance given to them by the organisers when they held a meeting before the commencement of the competition, some youths capitalised on the inadequate security plans to harass match officials that led to the disruption of some events like hockey and basketball.

Commenting on the decision of officiating officials to suspend some matches, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi Sports Council explained that the National Sports Commission is solely responsible for the safety of all officials. But said they only got N9,000 each which the officials frowned at resulting to the show of grievances that suspended the matches.

Alhaji Tanimu Sa'idu disclosed that three states namely Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states which participated at the zonal elimination series in Gombe decided to up-set the remaining balance of officials allowances to ensure that the matches are completed.

But the Chairman Gombe State Sports Commission, Alhaji Faruk Yarma has dismissed allegations of insecurity at the zonal elimination venues, saying that the state government has made necessary arrangement to ensure the success of the competition.