The Minister of Sports, Dr. Tanmmy Danaagogo, has expressed joy over the victory of Nigeria’s sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, who on Monday night won a gold medal for the country in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Danagogo said: “I am really very excited at this victory for Nigeria.
“Blessing Okagbare, like our other medalists, has really made Nigeria proud.
“Nigerians are very happy that we are doing well.”
Okagbare on Monday night set a new Commonwealth Games record in Glasgow when she finished at 10.85 seconds, winning the gold medal.
She beat Veronica Cambell-Brown to emerge the fastest woman in the Commonwealth and also broke Debbie Fergusonl’s 10.91 seconds of 12 years.
The excited minister said he has directed the sports ministry to ensure that any Nigerian athlete who wins gold, silver or bronze medals at the games be paid their bonus instantly.
The Federal Government had last week pledged different sums of money to athletes who win gold, silver or bronze medals at the Glasgow Games as a way of motivating them.
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.
Danagogo said: “We want to make the athletes happy by paying them the money that the Federal Government promised on the spot.
“We do not want them to collect it after the games but as soon as they win, they get their money.
“This will serve to further motivate them.”
Danagogo said the reward is outside of what the government would do for the athletes when they return to Nigeria after the games.
“This is an instant bonus to be given on the ground by the Ministry of Sports,” he said, adding: “Government will still honour and compensate athletes when we return.”
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