Delta 2022 NSF: Onyedum tasks Sports Ministry to expose ‘medal merchants’

Anambra State Sports Commission chairman, Patrick Estate Onyedum has described reported cases of medal padding at the 2022 National Sports Festival a disgrace to the nation and has called on the Sports Minister to expose and punish those involved. Hosts Delta State harvested a total of 648 medals made up of 320 gold medals, Bayelsa State raked in 337 medals including 132 gold medals, while Edo State was third with a total of 339 medals with 78 gold medals in the bag. But at the end of the NSF it was discovered that those in the technical room have added medals that were never competed for in the log. Miffed by the development, the sports ministry has set up a probe panel, which many believe is just window dressing. But according to Mr Estate Onyedum this is a concerning matter which must not be swept under the carpet. He questioned the motives of the ‘medal merchants’ adding that their action has made the country’s sports a joke of a sports contest. “What is their motive…why should they do that? Estate Onyedum queried. “Whoever did such a thing should be identified and punished so that there wouldn’t be a repeat of such next time. There has to be some measure of integrity and dignity in our sports contest. “It would be good if an independent enquiry was set up to investigate the matter, we don’t want it swept under the carpet.”