The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has rewarded winners of gold medals for the state at the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin with one million Naira each.
Governor Lalong announced the reward on Monday at the Government House in Jos, during a dinner organised to honour Plateau’s participants of the sports festival which was held in April.
He said that silver medalists were to receive N700,000 and bronze medallists N500,000, while the coaches of medal-winning athletes or teams were given N300,000 each.
The Governor said; ”the reward was part of efforts to motivate them for their good performance.”
According to him, the event was also an opportunity to celebrate their achievements at Edo 2020 where they emerged as “the state with the highest number of medals in the North-Central zone.”
“The Plateau contingent took the 13th position and came home with 37 medals, made up of eight gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze.
“Although our aim was to emerge top, we are nevertheless proud of the efforts of our contingent who gave their best.
“Your performance reaffirms the sporting prowess our athletes have been known for over the years, having exhibited a high level of competence, endurance, versatility, professionalism and discipline,” the Governor said.
Sponsorship
Governor Lalong said ”his administration has sponsored sportsmen and women to various championships and tournaments, which resulted in winning a total of 170 gold, 157 silver and 170 bronze medals.”
He stated that his administration was committed to developing sports infrastructure in spite of paucity of funds in the state.
The Governor stressed that younger athletes would also be employed soon to replace ageing ones.
“A consortium has been consulted, to assess the state of the Rwang Pam Stadium with a view to overhauling it, while grassroots sports development would be put in view in the state.
“I have directed the Commissioners for Sports and Education, as well as Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, to work together in restoring and reinvigorating the various school competitions, community games and other engagements which have huge benefits for talent discovery,” the Governor said.
NAN