The Federal Government on Sunday gave an impressive Team Nigeria a befitting reception for their successful participation in the just-concluded 13th African Games in Ghana.
The Minister of Sport Development, Sen. John Enoh, received the victorious athletes on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
For two weeks, 52 countries fiercely contested for honors in 29 sports; Nigeria participated in 25 of those, accumulating an astonishing 120 medals (47 gold, 33 silver, and 40 bronze).
Persecondnews reports that the overall medal count was lower than the 130 medals won in Morocco in 2019.
However, the Ghana outing yielded a slight increase in gold medals.
The Sport Minister, who expressed appreciation to the athletes, said: “The nation is thankful for the hard work and sacrifice of your individual and collective efforts.
“For the duration of the games, not just Africa but also the world witnessed the full demonstration of the unyielding spirit of the African continent, and you were at the centre of all the developments and more than underscored the great Nigerian possibility and what it portends for Africa and the world.
“Your dazzling performance and brilliance, propelling our country to a second-place finish having won forty-seven gold medals, thirty-three silver medals, and forty-one bronze medals, making a total of one hundred and twenty-one medals out of the 52 competing countries at the end of the games, is no mean feat.
“This indeed is an unforgettable testament for which the government of President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians will remain proud.”
“Thank you, great athletes, for showcasing Nigerian strength, resilience, and excellence.
“Our sports-loving President and the vast majority of Nigerians warmly felicitate you for your gallantry and achievements for putting the country on the firm pedestal as a leading sports powerhouse on the continent of Africa,” Persecondnews quotes the minister as saying
Enoh pointed out that for Nigeria to replicate the 2003 feat, the country must achieve a commanding first place in the medal table.
He said the country needs a sporting master plan that will improve its performance in areas like swimming.
“The ministry is working out a sustainable package of incentives that will continue to put the welfare condition of our sportsmen and women at the forefront.”
Persecondnews recalls that the federal government has begun the process of clearing all camp allowances and bonuses for winning medals at the 13th African Games.
The ministry states that individual gold, silver, and bronze medalists will receive $3000, $2000, and $1000, respectively, while doubles gold, silver, and bronze winners will receive $5000, $3000, and $1500, respectively.
Also, gold, silver, and bronze medalists in team sports of up to six athletes are to receive $6000, $4000, and $3000, respectively.
Gold, silver, and bronze medalists in team sports with 12 athletes and above will get $12000, $7000, and $5000.
Coaches whose athletes or teams win gold, silver, or bronze medals will receive rewards of $5000, $2500, and $1500, respectively.
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