Richard Elesho
Less than a month to its kickoff chances that the much-awaited 2024 edition of the Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria, RIGAN will be a record breaker, are getting slimmer by the day. The situation, which is due mainly to the paucity of funds, may force the games, a fertile ground for talent haunt into extinction.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Ibadan, won the hosting right of the 18th season of the competition in June 2003, while the game is scheduled to be held from 6 to 11 December. The hosting right was viewed by many people as befitting and commemorative as it coincides with the Premier institution’s 60th anniversary.
The process for hitch-free and top-notch outings was promptly put in place when a Local Organising Committee, LOC, for the game was inaugurated in August 2023. The Committee and management began preparations with a budget estimate and skeletal improvement of facilities that will give the sportsmen maximum satisfaction.
As the days for the engagement are drawing closer, however, fillers are that funds for the festival are yet to be released, creating fears that preparations for the exercise might run to troubled waters.
“We don’t know what is happening. The games are less than one month away, and by now, one expects certain things to have been put in place. What we hear is that there is no cash backing for it yet. We may go into late or 11th-hour preparations, and that is what is killing the sports industry in Nigeria.” A source who preferred not to be named as he is not authorised to speak on the matter volunteered.
The RIGAN President, Prof O.F Owolade, confirmed the fears. He lamented that the games are being endangered by lack of funds. He said that despite sending their estimate early and visits to the National Assembly, he was shocked to hear that it was not captured in the budget.
“We have since written to the Presidency and our parent Ministry of Agriculture to update them about the dire situation and request for their urgent interventions. So far, no money has been released, forcing all of us into confusion.
“We have also been reaching out to our strategic partners like state governments, politicians, corporate organizations, and the business community. We are also engaging the research institutes to contribute to the sponsorship. Thus far, we are a far cry from our expected target or response. In fact, with the way things are, I can not say what the future of the games will be.” The RIGAN President said with a tone of surrender.
He expatiated that aside from being a veritable ground for cross-fertilisation of scholarly ideas, and a showcase of research products and new inventions, the games provide room for bonding and tourism among the participants. “For many of our junior staff who take part in it, the game may be the only opportunity to travel and explore other places.” He added.
It was gathered that organisers of the games are yet to procure vital sporting items, notably boots, tracksuits, and safety gear, among others. In addition, some existing facilities for the games are crying for urgent rehabilitation.
RIGAN came into existence in 1979 as a brainchild of the Committee of Directors of Research Institutes (CODRI). The Association comprises forty-five (45) Research and Development Institutes and has among others the objective to bring together the various Research and Development Institutes through sporting activities in all its ramifications.
Some Nigerians who have been discovered at past RIGAN games festivals include Mutiu Adepoju from CRIN, Ibadan and M. Monye who is still a serving officer at NAPRI, Zaria. He featured in the Olympic Games, Barcelona 1992.