C’wealth Games: Nigeria Splashes $5,000 On Gold Medalists, Coaches $3,000

Nigeria’s government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has splashes a total of $25,000 on Team Nigeria medal athletes and coaches at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

At a friendly ceremony held at the Hilton Garden in Birmingham on Thursday night, the athletes and their coaches were rewarded for bringing glory to their fatherland.

Gold medal winners, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, received $5,000 each, while their coaches were also given $3,000 each.

Folashade won gold in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event while Adenike won gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event.

Taiwo Laidi, a silver medalist in the women’s 76kg Weightlifting event, received $3,000 for her effort.

For bronze medal winners, Edidiong Joseph Umaofia, Islamiyat Yusuf and Mary Osijo, they all got $2,000 each for their efforts.

The event had in attendance Chief of Staff to the Minster of Youth and Sports Development, Alh. Abba Yola; director of Finance at the Ministry, Olufehinti Olusegun, and Dr Simon Ebhojiaye, who is the leader of Team Nigeria’s delegation to the Games.

Gold medalist in the 59kg Women’s Weightlifting event, Folashade Lawal, said “I am pleased we got rewarded even before the end of the competition, I thank the honourable Minister for Sports, Sunday Dare for his proactiveness in this regard.

“It is quite timely for us, as this act will encourage and spur all athletes to do more. For me, I want to thank the Minster for this and I’m very excited.”

As more medals and records continue to pour in for Nigeria at the Games, the Sports Minister has again reiterated the fact that athletes’ welfare remains a top priority under his watch.