Following an announcement of reward packages by the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde on the 10th February for athletes that represented the state at the 2022 National Sports Festival held at Asaba, Commonwealth Games (Birmingham 2022), First Para Games (Abuja 2022) and African Cycling Championship held in 2022 in Abuja, the athletes are yet to received the fund.
Some athletes that spoke with newsmen at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex Adamasingba Ibadan on condition of anonymity lamented the poor state of their welfare, while begging the accountant general of Oyo State that they believed is delaying the release of the fund to act accordingly.
It will be recalled that Governor Makinde while hosting the athletes in his office on the 10th of February this year announced monetary rewards to appreciate the athletes that had represented the state and came out top in their various fields of sports but the funds are yet to be paid to the beneficiaries.
Gold medalists according to the governor are expected to be rewarded with One million naira each, silver medalists will be offered Five hundred thousand naira each while the Bronze medalists will be given Three hundred and fifty thousand naira each.
Even athletes who represented the state in the Competitions but did not win medals, are also expected to be given two hundred and fifty thousand naira each as consolation, the first time such will happen in the history of the state.
The Governor also announced rewards to the three weightlifters from the state who represented Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham United Kingdom for their exceptional and brilliant performances at the Games, with Rafiat Lawal who won Gold to be gifted 10,000 US Dollars, Liadi Taiwo to get 7,500 US Dollars while the third person, Osijo Mary Taiwo will be given 5,000 Us Dollars.
These athletes that appeared seemingly becoming more frustrated after endless wait to get paid congratulated Gov. Seyi Makinde over his re-election while pledging their loyalties to Oyo State, but appealed to him to help in speeding up the release of the funds announced as rewards for their efforts.
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