FG rewards Team Nigeria Athletes in Birmingham

Federal Government has rewarded team Nigeria athletes who won medals at the ongoing Common Wealth Games in Birmingham as well as their coaches with the cash sum of 25,000 dollars.

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare made the presentation to the athletes and coaches at Hilton Garden, Birmingham.

How much did each athlete get?

At the presentation ceremony, the gold medal winners: Adijat Adenike, Olarinoye and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal received the sum of five thousand dollars each; silver medal winner: Taiwo Laidi got three thousand dollars; bronze medalists: Edidiong Joseph Umaofia and Islamiyat Yusuf got two thousand dollars each, while their coaches received three thousand dollars respectively.

What is the rationale for the cash reward?

While presenting the cash reward to the athletes, the youth and sports minister said the athletes and coaches were being rewarded for bringing glory to their fatherland.

Dare, who was represented by the Director of Federation, Elites and Athletes Department of the ministry, Dr Simon Ebhojaiye, stated that the reward was one of the proactive measures put in place by the ministry and the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in particular to boost their morale.

The minister expressed optimism that with the calibre of athletes, coaches, officials and technical crew Nigeria has in Birmingham, and their level of commitment and patriotism, the country is set to record more podium performances at the games, assuring them of the government’s continued commitment to the development of sports in the country.

Any response from the Athletes?

Speaking on behalf of the medalists and coaches, the 59kg women’s weightlifting gold medalist, Folashade Lawal, expressed their appreciation over governments proactiveness, assuring that the reward will motivate them to winning more medals for the country.

Lawal attributed the successes recorded by the athletes so far to the glory of God, teamwork, discipline, hard work and government’s support to sports development in the country.