From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Kano state officials at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin City, capital of Edo state have withdrawn protest they filed against their potential gold medalists in swimming.
The swimmer, Yellow Yeihya, created a scene on Sunday after being among those registered to play for Kano state but later switched his alligiance to Bayelsa state, situation that prompted the Kano officials to seek for the intervention of the organisers of the event.
However, considering provision of the event, which stipulates that the player must be receiving allowances for six consecutive months before the festival, the state decided to withdraw the case.
Director Sports, Kano state Sports Commission, Alhaji Bashir Mai-Zare confirmed the withdrawal, adding that the state would continue to focus on other activities that would bring success to state contingents competing in many events at the festival.
In his response, the state’s swimmer’s chief coach, Kogi said “ we are able to pay only one month allowance to the athlete involved throughout the six months.
“By virtue of the provision of the law of the event, he is free and entitled to play for any state of his choice,” On the other hand, the state officials had also banned a traditional boxing (dambe) player, Garkuwar Bala Chindo for absconding from the contingents.
He was to be among the kano contingents. Muhammad Bashar Danliti, Chairman Kano Dambe Association disclosed that after agreeing to participate in the festival, three days to the departure time he refused to show off and all effort to reach him proved abortive.
