Athletes Set To Get Rewards From Oyo State Government

Within the next two weeks Oyo State government will reward the proficient and skillful athletes that won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the last 2022; Commonwealth Games (BIRMINGHAM), National Sports Festival (ASABA), First Para Games (ABUJA) and African Cycling Championships in Abuja.

A statement made available to the media e-signed by Tunde Ajibike, Director Media&Communication, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde made this disclosure today at the Executive Chambers of his office while hosting the athletes that represented the state in all the four tournaments that took place in the year 2022.

While addressing the Athletes, Coaches and other Stakeholders at the forum, Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed further that the Gold medalists will be rewarded with One million naira each, while silver medalists will be offered Five hundred thousand each and the Bronze medalists will be given Three hundred and fifty thousand naira each. Adding that the participants who did not win medals will be given two hundred and fifty thousand naira each.

The exhilarated Governor of Oyo State commended the three weightlifters who represented Nigeria for their exceptional and brilliant performances at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The Governor remarked that Rafiat Lawal who won Gold would be compensated with 10,000 US Dollars while Liadi Taiwo would be offered 7,500 US Dollars and the third person, Osijo Mary Taiwo would be given 5,000 US Dollars.

The statement further revealed that the athletes that represented Oyo state at the African Cycling Championship (Track) in the year 2022 would be given 3,500 US Dollars and 1,500 US Dollars for Silver and bronze respectively.

Governor Makinde said that it should be placed on record that Team Oyo came first at the National Sports Festival amongst the states in the South-West geo-political zone. Stressing that Lagos state was defeated for the first time.

The Governor opined that: “Oyo State bided for the hosting of the next bi–annual National Sports Festival slated for 2024 but we lost to Ogun State. I promised that if they give us ample time to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of our sporting facilities. We will still bid after Ogun state in 2024”.
Adding that: “Oyo State Government submitted letter to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to acquire the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan. The Stadium will be renovated and the state of arts facilities will be provided, that means Oyo State will have two World Class Sports Facilities”.

While responding to the request of the Oyo State Sports Council, the Governor pledged that Lekan Salami and other sports facilities across the state will be completed before the end of the year.

Earlier, the Oyo state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Asiwaju Seun Fakorede commended the magnanimous gesture of the Governor which has been yielding positive results, adding that the scintillating performances of Oyo state in both the National and International competitions was as a result of the numerous supports extended to the sports sector.

The Commissioner said: “The Governor said we should win 100 Gold medals. Though this fit could not be achieved due to some variables of unforeseen circumstances. However, against all odds we fought hard to clinched 4th position, a position Oyo State occupied 43 years ago. Hence at the 2022 National Sports Festival we won 50 Gold, 61 silver and 62 Bronze medals in the 21st edition of the sports Festival”.

The Governor promised that the state Government will recruit more Athletes, Coaches and Sports officers and procure more State of the arts facilities to enhance the performance of the Athletes in the State, the statement concluded.