July 24, (THEWILL) — Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has rewarded athletes who represented the state at the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with cash incentives for their outstanding performance.
Team Bayelsa finished third on the official medals table released by the National Sports Commission, maintaining its consistent top-three position in recent editions of the Games.
Speaking during a reception for the athletes and officials at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Yenagoa, Governor Diri described sports as a critical tool for youth empowerment and economic opportunity in the state.
The governor, who attended the closing ceremony of the festival in Abeokuta, expressed concerns over alleged irregularities in the final medals table.
He noted that just hours before the conclusion of the Games, Bayelsa was comfortably in second place, ahead of host state, Ogun.
Diri said: “I do not believe that you took third. I believe you finished second at the Games.
“Apart from perennial champions Delta, the real threat to us was never Ogun State.”
He commended the contingent for their commitment and announced a cash reward for all medalists and officials.
Each individual gold medalist will receive N1 million, while team gold medalists will go home with N700,000 each. Silver medalists are to receive N500,000, and team silver medalists N350,000 each.
Bronze medalists will be rewarded with N300,000 each, and team bronze medalists will get N200,000 apiece.
Officials of gold-winning athletes will also receive N1 million each, while gold technical officials will earn N700,000.
Silver medal team officials will be paid N500,000, and technical officials will get N400,000. Bronze medal team officials will go home with N200,000 each.
In addition, officials from the Ministry of Sports Development and the Sports Council will receive N1.5 million each.
Members of the Local Organising Committee will be rewarded with N1 million, while festival secretariat officials will get N700,000 each. Essential staff and support staff will be paid N300,000 and N200,000, respectively.
Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Finance to ensure immediate disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries.
The governor also reaffirmed Bayelsa’s readiness to host the 2028 National Sports Festival, citing the ongoing construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa.
He urged all ministries involved in the project to ensure timely completion.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, in his remarks, faulted the official medals table, insisting that it did not reflect the true performance of Team Bayelsa.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, commended the governor for his consistent investment in sports, describing the latest gesture as a testament to his passion for youth and sports development in the state.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
