Police restore sanity after fans invade NSF venue

There was a commotion at the Ogbemudia Indoor Sports Hall, the venue of Kick Boxing, at the 20th National Sports Festival, after officials asked athletes and fans to leave the venue in order to observe the COVID-19 protocols.

The hall was filled to capacity after the gate was opened as fans eager to watch their athletes fight rushed in, thus violating the rules and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Officials were overpowered by the fans and had to call on the armed men of the Nigeria Police Force and the security task force members, who walked the crowd out of the gym.

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One of the fans yelled, “Why will you send us out and deny us watching our athletes?”

Speaking with The PUNCH, Nelson Oluigbo, Head Referee, Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria, said, “We had to send everyone out because the place was too crowded, which is against the COVID-19 protocols.

“The NCDC officials were here yesterday (Sunday) and they hammered on the fact that we must follow the protocols but immediately we opened the gate, the crowd rushed in.

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“Only athletes, their trainers and journalists will be allowed into the venue. That is the rule and we have to ensure that everything is in order. We know it is not easy for everyone at the moment but we just have to accept things the way they are.”