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Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has announced cash rewards to the state Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu and the winners of the 2021 AITEO Cup, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens.
During the official reception of the victorious Bayelsa sportsmen and women at the Government House, Yenagoa, the governor also announced an N1 million reward for Oborududu’s coach, Victor Kodei, who was a former wrestling champion.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah, revealed that the governor announced cash rewards of N1.3 million for the technicality advisers of both teams.
The governor, who ordered the immediate release of two Coaster buses to the football teams, also rewarded the clubs’ board chairmen with N1.5 million each.
His words: “In recognition of this historic feat and giant stride, your government has decided to reward you (Blessing Oborududu) with the sum of N4 million. Our daughter has put Bayelsa State and Nigeria on the map of the world in female wrestling.
“For our FA Cup giants, for the first time in the history of the FA Cup now AITEO Cup, no state in Nigeria has brought home the two cups both male and female. It used to be an all-male affair until the female version was introduced. Bayelsa is the first state and I stand to be proved wrong. Bayelsa has set the record.
“So, your Prosperity Administration has decided to reward our AITEO Cup male and female players. The top 25 registered players will receive N1 million each, while other players will get N500, 000 each. The chairmen of both teams will receive N1.5 million each and the Technical Advisers will get N1.3 million each.
“For each of the clubs, the board members will get one million nairas while the coach of our sister, who himself is a wrestling champion, Victor Kodei, and accompanied our silver medalist to Tokyo, will get the sum of one million nairas.
“As usual with sports, it is a team game and there are others who contributed to the victory and success. Their reward will also be communicated to them.”
Diri also gave immediate approval for the upgrade of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, as well as the wrestling gym.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, thanked Senator Diri for the exceeding support to the teams, which he said are now the toast of every sports-loving individual.
Igali made several appeals to the governor, especially for upgrading of the state stadium, as Bayelsa United would represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next month.
