The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged handsome financial rewards for any athlete who wins any medal 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 medalists will get $4,000 each, while any athlete who wins a Bronze 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, Glasgow, on Friday night, Minister of Sports, Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo, said the financial gesture was designed to motivate the athletes to victory.
“This financial reward is designed to motivate all of you to win more medal for Nigeria. We are proud of the medal we have won at the weight lifting 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,” Danagogo said.
In addition to the $7,000 for Miss Chika Ahamala, the first Gold medalist for Nigeria, in the women’s weight lifting category, Danagogo announced anadditional $1,000 for her breaking the Commonwealth record in the weight lifting category.
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.
“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,” he said.
Those present at the meeting were the Director General (DG), National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Adukadri Mohammed, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Ministry of Sports and President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, (NOC), Alhaji Mohammed Ndanusa, among others.
