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By Oscar Okhifo
Power outage on Saturday hit the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta and darkness descended mid-race, disrupting the men’s 10,000 meters event at the ongoing Gateway Games 2024.
This leaves yet another shadow over a National Sports Festival (NSF) already dogged by logistical and organisational failures.
The incident occurred during the 19th lap of the grueling 25-lap race, forcing athletes to slow down and lose rhythm in a competition where every second counts.
With no official communication on whether the race result would stand, confusion and outrage swept through the venue. It was a monumental shame and confusion.
One of the most vocal critics of the chaos was Professor Ezra Guning, Director of Sports for Plateau State and a former national long-distance champion, who did not mince words in describing the situation.
“This is a national disgrace,” Guning said, visibly umbraged. “In all my years in Nigerian sports, I have never witnessed anything like this.
I cannot accept the results of that race, especially with my state participating. It’s unacceptable. We will not accept it!”
The blackout is just the latest in a string of problems plaguing this year’s NSF.
Despite a colorful opening ceremony filled with fireworks and entertainment, the core sporting events have been marred by poor planning, disorganisation, and infrastructural shortcomings.
Athletes and officials have repeatedly lamented the festival’s fragmented venue arrangements, which have made inter-event transportation a logistical nightmare.
The lack of centralisation has led to delays, missed events, and widespread frustration and confusion.
The media centre, meant to serve journalists covering the games, has also come under fire for its poor equipment and inadequate working facilities. Another sign of what many see as a poorly executed sporting festival.
While the National Sports Festival is mirror excellence, Unity and a platform for talent discovery and development across Nigeria’s states, the 2024 edition has so far done more to highlight systemic flaws in planning and execution.
As athletes and officials continue to navigate the many challenges thrown their way, Saturday’s blackout is another fiasco moment that may well be remembered with frowns.
The promises of delivering a trailblazing National Sports festival is being challenged from different angles. The moment when the lights quite literally went out while the athletes were in their boots do not mirror a well organised NSF. That is the truth! The organisers have made no statement as at press time.