The Chairman, House Committee on Sports Honourable Ekene Adams has expressed disappointment over the delay in the payment of Allowances of Team Nigeria athletes at the recently concluded Africa Games in Ghana.
Nigeria finished second at the Games behind Egypt surpassing her previous record with a total of 47 Gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
It will be noted that individual gold, silver, and bronze medallists will get $3000, $2000, and $1000 respectively, while double gold, silver, and bronze winners are entitled to $5000, $3000, and $1500 respectively.
Also, gold, silver, and bronze medallists in team sports of up to six athletes are to receive $6000, $4000, and $3000 respectively.
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Gold, silver, and bronze medallists in team sports with 12 athletes and above will get $12000, $7000, and $5000.
According to the lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, it is very sad that many of these athletes who made us proud in Ghana have not been paid their due allowances and bonuses.
“I am very shocked that up till now some of these athletes have not gotten their money days after the conclusion of the Africa Games “
“For me it is even more worrisome that these athletes did not get their money before the Easter celebration and I think we should be finding ways to motivate the athletes more so that they can even do more at the Olympic Games in Paris”.
“How do we want their family members to feel knowing full well that they couldn’t enjoy Easter and I think this is the kind of things we need to get right in terms of Athletes’ welfare,” he said in a statement.
Honourable Ekene who is also a seasoned Sports administrator however plead with the Ministry of Sports Development to swiftly do the needful so that this delay in the Athletes’ payment should not linger until the upcoming Salah break.
He further said “ No Sports should be more prioritised than others and these athletes that did the country proud in Ghana deserve at least their money even if they couldn’t get a Presidential handshake”
“I am using this medium to further appeal to the Minister to ensure every payment due to the athletes are sorted as soon as possible because I am aware some of them were only given allowances in Nigeria before they departed for the Games,” he said.
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