August 03, (THEWILL) – Financial windfall awaits successful athletes that excel the most at the ongoing Olympics competition in Tokyo, Japan, following the announcement that the Federal Government will reward members of Team Nigeria who return home with medals with an upward review of cash rewards.
This was relayed across by Simon Ebohdjaiye, the Director of the Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD) of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, who promised $15,000 for any gold medallist, $10,000 for silver and $7,500 for bronze medalists.
Coincidentally, the announcement came shortly after Nigeria’s medal account was shored up by female wrestler Blessing Oborududu, whose silver medal followed the first medal Nigeria won, Ese Brume’s bronze in the long jump event.
Ebohdjaiye made it known that the dedication of the athletes to their events had not gone unnoticed by the government and that was what necessitated an upward review of the rewards from the initial amount announced.
He said: “Gold medallists will now be rewarded with 15,000 dollars, while silver and bronze medal winners will each get 10,000 dollars and 7,500 dollars respectively.
“The earlier award is 5,000 dollars for gold, 3,000 dollars for silver and 2,000 dollars for bronze.”
He noted that it was the government’s way of driving home the point that superlative performances will always be handsomely rewarded.
In a good turn for Nigeria on Tuesday, Blessing Oborududu’s silver in the women’s 68kg freestyle made her the first Nigerian wrestler to ever win an Olympic medal. A reward of $10,000 now awaits her based on the announcement of the bump in financial rewards.
Similarly, Brume’s bronze from her women’s long jump event, which opened the medal account for Nigeria in Tokyo now assures her of $7,500 for her efforts. Hers was not just the first at the postponed Games in Tokyo but first in track and field since Beijing 2008 when Blessing Okagbare won silver in the women’s 4x100m relay alongside her team of sprinters.
There remains the possibility of a few more medals with Team Nigeria athletes still competing for glory in the Wrestling event. They are led by world number one in her category Odunayo Adekuruoye, who held the flag at the opening ceremony parade in front of the athletes from Nigeria that July 23 day.
As THEWILL reported, Nigeria also has the chance to get its first shot put medal as her athlete Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has qualified for the men’s Shot Put final which is billed to take place on Thursday, August 5.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
