The Osun State government has notified the State’s sports council of its decision to stop the payment of salaries of athletes and coaches of state-owned clubs — Osun United and Osun Babes.
The letter which was addressed to the acting General Manager of the State Sports Council, Rotimi Dunmoy, was also sent to the Secretary of Osun United, the Media Officer of Osun United, Tajudeen Amodu, confirmed, according to the Nation.
“Payments to staffers on other salaries, including Osun United Football Club, are suspended forthwith as approved by the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola,” the letter partly read.
The Osun government’s decision may be connected to the suspension of sporting activities in Nigeria due to COVID-19, which rendered many sports organisations inactive.
Mr Amodu said that Osun United’s President, Ademola Adeshina had reacted to the situation by urging the government to reconsider the decision as it would affect not only the players but their dependents.
“We also urged the governor to emulate other state governments which has continued to pay salaries of their state-owned teams since the suspension of sports activities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Apart from the fact that contracts of our players have not been officially terminated, if salaries are stopped during this period, the living standard of beneficiaries from this medium will nosedive because of the current situation of the country which has been badly affected by COVID-19.
“We therefore appeal to the state government to look into the matter and lift the suspension on the salaries of Osun United, Osun Babes, their management boards, as well as contract coaches and athletes in the state,” Osun United’s president said.
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