The Chairman, Delta Sports Commission and President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has described as a lie from the pit of hell a recent online report by Saharareporters alleging that he shortchanged officials of the Delta Queens Football Club in the payment of their allowances and other entitlements.
In the report, the Commission’s Chairman was accused of slashing the allowances of the officials, who accompanied the female players to Benin City, Edo State, for the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League for the West African Football Union (WAFU) zone B Qualifier, by N1.1m each.
He was also said to be in the habit of short paying athletes and officials, allegedly using the proceeds to enrich himself.
Reacting to the report, Chief Tonobok Okowa said the money released by government for the tournament was less than what was expected and could not carry the allowances of the players and officials.
He disclosed that the players were paid even before the release in order to put them in high spirit for the match, pointing out that he had to source for money to pay the players pending the release of funds.
Chief Okowa said after settling the players, he paid part of the allowances and other entitlements of the officials and pleaded with them to be patient untill more funds were released and they agreed.
The DSC Chairman said he was shocked when his attention was drawn to the online report, which he said was the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to malign him.
He said he had maintained a clean record of his dealings with players, athletes and officials of the various sports, revealing that the relevant documents were there to vindicate him.
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