The ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) at the University of Ilorin is beset by complaints from administrators over the methods adopted for screening of athletes.
The exercise had been dogged by controversies and alleged manipulation which led to repetition of the process at the weekend.
While speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji described the development as “very bad”.
He called on the organizers to allow each sport federation to handle the screening of their athletes.
According to him, “The screening exercise was very bad. I saw some athletes that were allowed to participate but it’s obvious they are far above 15 years. It’s unbelievable.
“I would advise that each federation screen their athletes as they know them better and have their data. Moreover, even the athletes know one another too”.
“In badminton for instance, some players were disqualified from taking part in the U-17 competition recently in Lagos for being over-aged. But they have been screened to participate in the National Youth Games, which is for athletes U-15 and below.
“That wouldn’t have happened, if federations were allowed to do the screening”, he noted.
