The ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, also known as the Gateway Games, was disrupted this week following a clash among kickboxing officials and the suspension of a cycling coach over alleged misconduct.
Tensions flared during the kickboxing event when a disagreement between officials over officiating duties escalated into a physical confrontation. The incident led to a temporary halt of scheduled matches, drawing concern from athletes and spectators alike. A tentative resolution was later reached with the reassignment of technical and officiating responsibilities, though the event remained stalled as of Thursday.
In a related development, the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) announced the suspension of Coach Jackson Iyobosa Edobor of Edo State for what it described as “unacceptable behavior.” The coach allegedly threatened a race official during the Male Team Pursuit event, accusing him of tampering with results.
In a statement signed by CFN Secretary-General Joel Akinluwa, the federation condemned Edobor’s actions, stating they brought disrepute to the competition. He has been barred from all cycling events at the festival and directed to issue a formal apology within 48 hours or face further sanctions.
These incidents have cast a shadow over the Games, prompting calls for greater professionalism and improved conflict management among officials to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event.
