The Ogun State Government has disbursed over ₦450 million in cash rewards to the state’s contingent and officials for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival 2024, tagged Gateway Games, held in Abeokuta, the state capital, last March.
The state had finished second with 93 gold medals, 65 silver, and 81 bronze.
At the event held at the cinema hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, urged athletes to continue being good ambassadors of the state and the country at large.
Abiodun described the achievement as a testament to the steady growth of sports development in the state, stressing that his administration remains committed to recognising excellence.
He disclosed that all training allowances, participation allowances, and contractual fees owed to athletes and officials had been fully settled.
According to him, immediate cash rewards earlier promised during his visit to the athletes’ camp were promptly fulfilled, including ₦50,000 paid to every qualified athlete and instant bonuses for medal winners before the festival’s closing ceremony.
The governor announced a historic reward package for medallists, including ₦2.5 million each for the 93 gold medallists, ₦1.5 million each for the 65 silver medallists, and ₦1 million each for the 81 bronze medallists.
He added that additional provisions were approved for athletes in team sports to acknowledge their collective contributions.
