Abia State Government has redeemed the N75 million cash award pledged to athletes who made the State proud in Para Badminton Championship in Uganda, the National Under-15 Youth Games in Delta State, Coaches and two Paralympians.
The redemption of the pledge indicates that N33 million was to all the athletes, N22 million to the coaches and N20 million to the two athletes who won gold and silver medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics for Nigeria.
Presenting the money to the benefiting athletes in presence of their parents on Thursday at Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, said that the money is being paid into the personal bank accounts of the athletes, adding that those without bank accounts would receive theirs through their parents’ bank accounts.
The Director of Sports made public that the 15 athletes who were given automatic employment in the State’s Sports Council by Governor Otti have been processed for eventual employment, pointing out that the gesture is to retain and prevent them from dumping Abia for other states or countries.
Comrade George, however, warned parents who will receive money on behalf of their children against squandering the cash and urged them to use it for their academics and professional development.
While expressing gratitude to Governor Otti and the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwabilor Ananabs for their support to the activities of the Sports Council, he described the achievements of the athletes as remarkable, with Abia State securing 7 gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals at the National Youth Games, alongside two silver medals at the Para Badminton Championship.
In their various speeches, the Director Technical of the Abia Sports Council, Mrs. Mary Nwachukwu Chima, and the Head of Organizing Department, Mrs. Victoria Umunna, attributed the athletes’ improved performance to the Governor’s support, pointing at the provision of over 24 sporting equipment and the organization of secondary school games earlier in the year as key motivators.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, a medalist, Onyekachi Goodness, expressed gratitude for the Governor’s intervention which has made sports exciting again and promised to continue training hard to make Abia State and Nigeria proud in future competitions.
Responding on behalf of the parents, Mr. Chukwudi Cletus Obi, Mrs. Joy Adanma, and Mrs. Happiness Onyekachi described the Governor’s gestures as unprecedented and pledged to continue supporting their children’s sports ambitions.
Recall , the Governor had during the reception last October also promised to transform the Umuahia township stadium, acquire a coaster bus for the Abia State Sports Council and procure an official car for the State Director of Sports.
