Some athletes from Imo State bound for the 2024 National Youth Games are stranded at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the state capital.
The athletes have been unable to travel to Asaba, Delta State, the venue of the Games, which began officially on Thursday, due to lack of funds.
In a video widely shared on social media on Thursday, the teenagers are seen lying on mattresses on the floor of a room. The day the video was recorded is not known.
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“Chosen, this one you’re drinking garri since morning, you’ve been drinking garri,” a male athlete was asked why he had been drinking cassava flakes, commonly known as garri, by one of his colleagues.
“I’ve been very frustrated. The money I brought is finished so I have to drink garri,” he responded.
“Look at this guy, in the morning he drank garri, this afternoon he drank garri, this night now he is drinking garri again, what is he going to eat? The money they even gave to you can’t do anything,” a female athlete added.
Another one said they were supposed to travel for the Games the day before the video was recorded.
“Why won’t he drink garri? They told us we are going out yesterday, not it’s been two days after. We are not even sure we are still going,”she said.
She added: “Even the money our parents gave us has finished. I don’t even have any hope of eating this night.”
Another athlete said: “Do you know what my mummy said? If my money finishes, I should come back home.”
