Video: Athletes Race In Darkness As Stadium Lights Fail Mid-Race

During the 10,000m final at the National Sports Festival, NSF in Ogun, a sudden blackout forced athletes to race in near-total darkness, raising safety concerns.

Athletes participating in the 10,000-meter final at the ongoing National Sports Festival, NSF in Ogun State had to race in darkness after the stadium lights at the newly renovated MKO Abiola Stadium suddenly went off in the middle of the race.

A video of the moment showed the field and track turning almost completely dark, while the athletes struggled to keep running. It was a chaotic and confusing situation for the NSF organisers seeing the athletes race in darkness.

According to SaharaReporters, a journalist at the event described what happened as “shameful” and “dangerous.”

“Stadium lights went off during the 10,000m final at the National Sports Festival. Athletes were forced to run in the dark. This is unacceptable in 2025,” the journalist said.

“Those responsible must be held accountable — such negligence has no place at the National Sports Festival.”

The stadium had recently been renovated using public funds and was meant to represent the government’s support for sports development. But the blackout raised concerns about the quality of planning and infrastructure.

Earlier in the week at the NSF before the drama of the athletes having to race in darkness, another incident occurred at one of the main venues of the festival — the Alake Sports Complex in Abeokuta. A fire broke out after a diesel truck delivering fuel to the generator in the complex caught fire. The flames caused panic as athletes and spectators rushed for safety.

Thick smoke filled the air, and the situation briefly disrupted the ongoing events at the venue. The fire incident happened around 3 p.m.

According to a statement from the organizers, “Fire outbreak at the Alake Sports Complex, venue of the indoor games of the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.

“No casualties as the driver was able to drive the truck far from the venue.

“The truck came to supply diesel to the generating set that powers the Complex.

“State Fire Service men were able to put out the fire though it took about 45mins before they arrived.”

These two incidents have raised serious concerns about safety, organization, and preparedness at the festival.

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