Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki doled out N7.5 million cash reward for the state’s coaches and athletes that participated in the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Australia.
Obaseki announced the reward when the coaches and athletes paid a courtesy visit in Government House, Benin City.
The governor restated his administration’s commitment to revamp sports in the state through investment in sports infrastructure and support for athletes and coaches.
He maintained that sports development in the state would start from the grassroots as was the practice when the state excelled in local and international sporting events.
“We are setting up a Sports Commission and the bill is in the Edo State House of Assembly. We want to bring in experts in the field to revamp the sector for better outcomes.
“The state places huge premium on grassroots sports development and plans to construct mini-stadia in schools with large fields across the 18 local government areas of the state,” the governor said.
He expressed his gratitude to the athletes and coaches for their commitment and determination to making the state and country proud.
Each of the six athletes (Esther Oyema, Blessing Onyebuchi, Faith Bazuaye, Rita Ossai and Orukpe Erayokan)from Edo State who represented the country at the April Games got N1million while the three coaches (Patience, Oni Erhunmwunse and Mariam Osifo) got N500,000 each.
