The Ogun State Government has given cash rewards to athletes from the state who were among the contingent that represented Nigeria at the 13th All African Games.
The Nigerian team for the All African Games, which held in February at Accra, Ghana, had about 11 athletes from the state.
The Ogun athletes won a total number of 19 medals including 11 Gold and 8 Bronze for Nigeria in Scrabble, Badminton, Athletics and Handball.
Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday approved the sum of N500,000 each for all gold medalists and N250,000 each for all bronze holders, while 15 other athletes and the coaches from Ogun who made the Team Nigeria contingent to the All African Games received the sum of N150,000, respectively.
Among the athletes are current World record holder in 100 metres hurdle, Tobi Amusan, and Dorcas Adesokan.
Tobi Amusan, Adebisi Adekanbi, Joy Ola, Onyebuchi Chisom, Shagari John and 42 others who represented the state at both national and zonal sporting events benefited from the reward.
Receiving the athletes at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka said the reception was to celebrate their achievements and to express the state government’s gratitude to them for making Ogun State proud on both national and the international stages.
Isiaka stated that the prize would not only enhance their morale, but also inspire others to give in their best as their efforts will be appreciated.
“To our own Ogun athletes who made the list of TEAM NIGERIA at the 13th African Games in Accra Ghana, your dedication and perseverance have paid off, and your names will go down in history as champions.
“You have proven that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Your achievements will continue to inspire a new generation of athletes, and your legacy will live on for years to come.
“For being so outstanding to have been picked from Team Ogun to represent our country, our sports loving governor, in his continuous effort to reposition sports in Ogun State has graciously approved a reward of N500,000.00 to all the gold medalists, N300,000.00 for silver medalists, N250,000.00 for bronze medalists while N150,000.00 goes to those that did not win and the coaches,” he said.
The commissioner, while reviewing the activities of the Sports Ministry in the last six months, said the state’s athletes have participated in 10 tournaments and have won 36 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals.
