Athletes threaten to sue C’River over Obudu money


There are indications that international athletes that won various
categories of prizes during the 2014 edition of the Obudu
Mountain Race may sue the Cross River State Government over
their unpaid cash prizes.
About $200, 000 was staked for winners of the 10th edition of
the international competition, which attracted not less than 130
athletes from various parts of the world. The event also featured
local categories for children, youth, media and VIP, with various
prizes attached.
However, over 10 months after the event, major prize winners
from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda are brazing up to sue the
Cross River State Government over its inability to redeem the
prizes.
A trainer of one of the top category winners from Ethiopia, who
identified himself as Lima Hope, told our correspondent on
Monday that the athletes would meet soon to take a position on
a legal option that will compel the state government to redeem
the prizes.
He said, “This was the same situation in the 2013 edition when
we threatened to sue before they paid us. This time, we will sue
because it is not easy preparing for a race and winning a prize
and almost one year after you have not been paid.”
A top government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
said it was unfortunate that the incumbent administration of
Governor Ben Ayade has not placed sports as a priority.
He added that the mountain race, which had been a source of
international attraction over the years, had been scrapped by the
Governor Ayade-led administration.
A local athlete, who participated and won in one of the
categories, said it was discouraging to note that government
had refused to make any comment on redeeming the prizes,
adding that it took one year for winners of the 2013 edition of
the competition to get their money.
“When I heard that the 2015 edition of the mountain race has
been cancelled, what came to my mind was they will not pay
winners of the 2014 edition. You do not just wake up to win; you
have to put in a lot of effort. The 2013 edition took one year
before they redeemed it, this is unfortunate for Cross River,” he
lamented.
In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr.
Christian Ita, hinged the delay on the harsh economic realities.
“It is simple. There is a downturn in the economy and you have
to attend to the urgent concerns first. There are a lot of states
that are not paying salaries, but we are paying in Cross River,”
he said.
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