NSC: Oyo Govt makes official clarification on instant cash reward
The Oyo State Government has dismissed media reports claiming that state medalists at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games,” are receiving cash rewards lower than expected.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta through the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Tunde Ajibike, explained that the instant cash reward is meant to motivate athletes who have won medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival and to challenge those yet to compete in their respective sporting events.
Hon. Wasilat Adegoke pointed out that the instant reward is different from the largesse that the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, will officially announce at the end of the biennial national sporting event.
“This is how we do our things. We are the Pace Setters’ state. We are different, unique, and strategic. Our governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has been rewarding athletes in previous editions of the National Sports Festival. Aside from the festival, Governor Seyi Makinde also rewarded Oyo athletes at the last Commonwealth Games.”
“The twenty thousand naira (N20,000) for gold medalists, ten thousand naira (N10,000) for silver, and five thousand naira (N5,000) for bronze medalists are primarily meant to motivate, encourage, and challenge athletes during the events. This is how we do our things.”
“Apart from this, all registered athletes in Abeokuta have received their allowances as and when due, and they are doing us proud on the medals table.”
“Our amiable governor, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, will continue to support and motivate athletes in the state. I can assure you that our athletes will be hosted, celebrated, and rewarded handsomely by the governor. People should check our records—we have done this before, and we shall continue to do even better.”
Recall that Team Oyo came fourth on the Edo 2022 medals table after winning 50 gold medals, 51 silver medals, and 62 bronze medals. The medalists were received at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, and were rewarded with N1 million for each gold medal, N500,000 for each silver medal, and N350,000 for each bronze medal, as well as N250,000 for non-medalists.
