The project officer for hostel accommodation at the ongoing 7th National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria, Dr. Ademola Are, has shed more light on how they were able to meet the accommodation of athIetes and officials at the games.
Dr Are, gave the plans and action of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in the area of accommodation on Monday at the Saint Patrick College venue of the rugby event of the games. He said shift in date of the competition by the Sports Ministry affected the accommodation arrangement already finalized by the Committee.
“During preparations we were able to earmark Osadebe University, Infant Jesus Academy and Technical College which are notable schools with a good environment, good facilities and bunk beds that are expected to take care of over 5000 athletes and officials.” Dr. Are explained.
Are who is also the President of Nigeria Rugby Federation further said; “However, due to the postponement of the Games most of these institutions had to call back their students and as at the time the Games was going to take place they are already into their exams and we cannot drive them back home without finishing their exams. Because of this, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, gave approval that we should just go ahead and make use of all the public schools available. Some of them have the double bunks, some do not. So, we needed to make do with what we have pending when the accommodation initially penciled down can be available”
The Games accommodation Project Manager and his had to work with the host State Government that help secure quality alternative.
It’s imperative to state that some states came in with more delegates than the number sent to the LOC and they had to factor it in, in the new arrangement.
“We did all this and ensured that those that came in first were given priority, getting their necessary accommodation. Osadebe University was expected to take care of 2500 Athletes and officials, Infant JESUS was expected to take care of 1500, and Technical College almost 2000. This might not be adequate because of the shortages we envisaged due to the presence of the students in the schools.
“We need to look for alternatives, and these alternatives were not boarding schools, so we have to make arrangements, put in mobile toilets, and provide makeshift bathrooms to ensure that the children are adequately accommodated. As of today that I am talking to you, this has been done.
Dr. Are stated that the pictures that have been circulated were the ones taken at the earlier stage when the Committee were having the teething problem to ensure that we house everybody.
He went further to stress that; “there are no sports without the media but I would want our Media guys to fact-check before going to the press because as of today there is no such situation in any of our hostels’ he concluded.”
The Local Organising Committee had earlier alerted to possible squeeze on accommodation due to the postponement of the games into a period when schools have resumed and earlier arrangements to secure hostel facilities were consequently declined by various schools.
The LOC duly communicated the Federal Ministry of Sports, the MOC and the Committee of Directors of Sports and they gave the clear for improvisations to be made with halls and mattresses to make up for the expected shortfall.
The facility in question does not represent near a-tenth of facilities in place.
Some athIetes and officials who spoke with your authoritative news channel First Zealmediacast Blog, a happy with the accommodation offered them.
Director of Sports Plateau State, Professor Ezra Gunen said, his contingent is enjoying their stay at the Games. “We only ask for a change in one of our meal to accommodate the carbohydrate needs of their athIetes coming from a high altitude which was graciously offered them.”
In a similar vain, 15 years old Judoka Bethel Onyemaechi, says the accommodation is like home away from home.
First Zealmediacast Blog visited the hostels and came back with these pictures.
