… Rewards athletes from 2022/23 sports festival and youth games with cash prizes
Joel Ajayi
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has revealed that FCT under his watch will not toil with labour and sweat of athletes, saying, that there will be more reward for any athletes who put FCT on the part of success.
He gave this assurance yesterday in Abuja during 13th Edition of FCT Sports Award Night for FCT Athletes and officials to the Delta 2022 National Sports Festival, NSF, and 6th and 7the editions of National youth games in Delta State 2022 and 2023 respectively.
“Award ceremony victorious athletes in the capital city have “Sports For All” as a theme.
For over two years, athletes who represented the FCT at the 2022 National Sports Festival and the 2023 and 2024 National Youth Games went unrecognized by the previous administration.
However, upon assuming office, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike took a decisive step to ensuring the athletes received the acknowledgment due to them.
Minister, who was represented by the FCT Mandate Secretary, Social Development, Hon Ibrahim Aminu reaffirmed his commitment to advancing sports development in the FCT and pledged to create an enabling environment for youths to excel.
In her welcome address, the Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Olubunmi Olowookere commended Wike for his magnanimity in rewarding our young athletes.
She, however, charged the athletes to continue striving towards the greater height of FCT as well as Nigeria at large adding that FCT will not allow their sweat go in vain.
Other stakeholders present applauded the FCT administration for recognizing the athletes with the awards, stating that the gesture would serve as a strong motivation for them ahead of the next festival.
Some of the athletes shared their thoughts on the award, highlighting its significance and the positive impact it would have on their careers.
Gold medalists from the Delta 2022 Sports Festival received ₦600,000, silver medalists ₦400,000, and bronze medalists ₦250,000. For the Youth Games, gold medalists were rewarded with ₦400,000, silver medalists ₦300,000, and bronze medalists ₦200,000.
