A sudden power outage at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Saturday plunged the men’s 10,000 meters event into darkness, adding to the growing list of organizational failures at the ongoing National Sports Festival.
The blackout occurred during the 19th lap of the grueling 25-lap race, forcing athletes to slow down and disrupting their rhythm in a competition where timing is crucial.
The incident left officials, athletes, and spectators in confusion as no immediate communication was provided about whether the race results would stand.
The disruption drew sharp criticism from sports officials, with Plateau State’s Director of Sports and a former national long-distance champion, Professor Ezra Guning, expressing his outrage.
“This is a national disgrace,” Guning said angrily. “In all my years in Nigerian sports, I have never witnessed anything like this. I cannot accept the results of that race, especially with my state participating. It’s unacceptable. We will not accept it!”
The power failure marks the latest in a series of logistical and infrastructural problems that have plagued this year’s sports festival. Despite a vibrant opening ceremony featuring fireworks and entertainment, the actual sporting events have been marred by poor organization and planning.
Athletes and officials have repeatedly complained about the festival’s scattered venue arrangements, which have made transportation between events a major challenge. The lack of a centralized setup has led to delays, missed competitions, and widespread frustration.
Journalists covering the games have also faced difficulties, with the media center criticized for its inadequate equipment and poor working conditions. These issues have further highlighted what many see as a poorly executed sporting event.
The National Sports Festival is meant to showcase excellence, unity, and talent development across Nigeria’s states. However, the 2024 edition has instead exposed systemic flaws in planning and execution. As participants continue to grapple with these challenges, Saturday’s blackout stands out as another embarrassing moment in what has so far been a troubled tournament.
With no official resolution announced regarding the disrupted race, concerns remain about the fairness of the competition and the overall credibility of the event. The incident has left many questioning whether the remaining days of the festival can recover from this latest setback.
