The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has distributed prize money to Scrabblers in the state for their medal winning performances in the just concluded African Games.
The scrabble team assembled at the State Sports Council, Ijeja, Abeokuta, together with athletes, coaches and officials from other disciplines, were awarded by the governor.
Athletes who won gold medals were awarded N500,000 each, silver medalists N350,000 each, bronze winners got N250,000 each while coaches and other athletes who failed to make the podium received N150,000 each.
The ceremony, which was part of the Ogun State Mid-Year Sporting Activities Expo, gave Abiodun the opportunity to appreciate members of Team Ogun who were part of Team Nigeria at the 2023 Accra Games held in March.
Adebisi Adekansi created history by becoming the first Nigerian woman to win two gold medals in the Scrabble event which was one of the demonstration sports at the ‘African Olympics’.
She won the top medal in the Women’s Singles and would again team up with Joy Ola, another Team Ogun player to provide the impetus that ensured Nigeria won gold in the women’s team event.
Both Olympic gold medalists along with Jimoh Abdumumin and coach Bukunmi Afolayan were appreciated with the awards.
The Commissioner for Sports, Isiaka Wasiu, who represented the governor said the State was proud of Team Ogun for contributing to the success of Team Nigeria.
“To our Ogun athletes who made the TEAM Nigeria shortlist at the 13th African Games in Accra Ghana, your dedication and perseverance paid off and your names will go down in history as champions. You have proven that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Your achievements will continue to inspire a new generation of athletes and your legacy will live on for years to come.
“Because he was so outstanding that he was selected by the Ogun team to represent our country, our sports loving governor, in his continued effort to reposition sports in Ogun State, has graciously sanctioned a reward of N500,000.00 to all the Olympic gold medalist , N300,000.00 for the silver medalist, N250,000.00 for the bronze medalist while N150,000.00 goes to those who did not win and the coaches.
“You will recall that this gesture has become the norm under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun as financial rewards were extended to Olympians from the 2022 National Sports Festival held in Asaba, Delta State.”
A total of 11 athletes from the state contributed to Team Nigeria’s 121 medal haul at the Games.