The Federal Government has pledged handsome financial rewards for any athlete who win medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Under the arrangement, any athlete who wins a gold medal will go home with $7,000, silver medalist will get $4,000, while any athlete who wins bronze medal will go home with $3,000.
Announcing the financial package during an interactive session with the Nigerian athletes and officials at the Games Village’s Chef-de-Mission conference room in Glasgow on Friday night, the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo, said the financial gesture was designed to motivate the athletes to victory.
Danaogo said: “This financial reward is designed to motivate all of you to win more medals for Nigeria.
“We are proud of the medal we have won at the weightlifting category and we are expecting more from all of you.
“Let me assure you that the government is ready to do more for all of you if you win more medals for the country.”
In addition to the $7,000 for Miss Chika Ahamala, the first gold medalist for Nigeria in the female weightlifting category, Danagogo announced additional $1,000 for her breaking the Commonwealth record.
While reassuring the athletes of the Federal Government’s commitment towards their welfare and successes at the event, the minister said the over 170 million Nigerians were looking up to the athletes to win medals for the country.
He said: “I can tell you that President Goodluck Jonathan has done everything possible for all of you to succeed in this tournament.
“The expectations of Mr. President and the rest of Nigerians is that you all win medals for us.
“We are proud of you and will give you all the necessary supports that you need to succeed.”
Those present at the meeting were the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye; the Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Adukadri Mohammed; the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Ministry of Sports; and the President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Ndanusa, among others.
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