Bayelsa state Gov rewards Olympic silver medalist, 2021 AITEO Cup Winners, others
By Samson Adeyemo
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has announced cash rewards to Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu, and the winners of the 2021 AITEO Cup, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens on Monday.
Bayelsa-born Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, got 4 million naira while the top 25 registered players of both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens were rewarded with one million naira each.
This warm reception took place in the Government House, Yenagoa in honour of the victorious Bayelsa sports men and women who had represented the country and the state in no mean way and wrote the name of their state of origin in the map prints of excellence. His Excellency also announced a million naira reward for Mr. Victor Kodei, a former wrestling champion, who happened to be Oborududu’s coach.
Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, quoted his Excellency as announcing cash rewards of N1.3million naira for the technical advisers of both teams and also the clubs’ board chairmen, who got N1.5 million naira each.
In addition to the cash splash and generosity of the governor, he equally directed the immediate release of two Coaster buses to both football teams to ease transportation issues to match venues and aid convenience.
His words: “In recognition of this historic feat and giant stride, your government has decided to reward you (Blessing Oborududu) with the sum of four million naira. Our daughter has put Bayelsa State and Nigeria on the map of the world in female wrestling.
“For our FA Cup giants, for the first time in the history of the FA Cup, now AITEO Cup, no state in Nigeria has brought home the two cups both male and female. It used to be an all-male affair until the female version was introduced. Bayelsa is the first state and I stand to be proved wrong. Bayelsa has set the record.
“So, your Prosperity Administration has decided to reward our AITEO Cup male and female players. The top 25 registered players will receive the sum of one million naira each. Other players will get N500,000 each.
“The chairmen of both teams will receive N1.5 million each and the Technical Advisers of both clubs N1.3 million each.
“For each of the clubs, the board members will get one million naira while the coach of our sister, who himself is a wrestling champion, Victor Kodei, and accompanied our silver medalist to Tokyo, will get the sum of one million naira.
“As usual with sports, it is a team game and there are others who contributed to the victory and success. Their reward will also be communicated to them.”
More so, he gave immediate approval for upgrades of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex as well as the wrestling gym to better the facilities improve its standards.
