FEDERAL GOVT RE-AFFIRMS REWARD FOR RIO ATHLETES

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has again restated federal government’s resolve to reward athletes who excelled in various sports at the Olympics and Paralympic Games in Rio.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa stated this when he and other top management staff of the ministry received the second batch of athletes to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

At a reception held for the athletes on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, the Permanent Secretary praised the athletes for ensuring that Nigeria’s flag was hoisted 12 times at the games.

Mr Ohaa promised that the athletes will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts when President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the country.

“This is one of the most astonishing performances that has brought great honour to this country. You told us that you were going to make Nigerians proud and you fulfilled your promise. It was a wonderful outing Nigeria finished ahead of all other African nations at the Paralympic Games and we also finished 17th in the world “.

The Permanent Secretary also commended the Presidency for enabling the athletes through training and ensuring prompt payment of all camp allowances and other financial obligations.

“We are proud of you, and we did our best by making sure that during your training, we took care of you and paid all your training allowances and we are not owing you.

The athletes jubilated as they danced to the music by the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club.

Speaking to the media at the Airport Reception One of the athletes, Lauretta Onye (Gold medalist and current world record holder) said she was inspired to win gold for the country by her coach and her passion to bring honour to her fatherland.

“I am so excited. I am very happy and I give God the glory for what he has done. A lot of things inspired me but what inspired me the most was my training. I trained very hard. I was inspired by my coach to go there and conquer. I was inspired by my country to go there and win” Onye said.

The second batch comprised para-athletics and para-table tennis athletes. Nigeria won 8 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals at the just concluded games.