PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria: President Buhari rewards laurel-winning Nigerian athletes
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday fulfilled his promise to financially reward sportsmen and women who won laurels for Nigeria at international competitions.
The promises included those made 30 years ago to reward members of the Golden Eaglets who won the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
Addressing the recipients, some of whom were represented by their relatives, Buhari announced "mouth-watering" cash rewards for the athletes as follows:
1. (a) 2015 World Wrestling Championship - Wrestler - Bronze medallist - 1,200,000 Naira (about US$6,000).
(b) The Coaches - 6,000,000 Naira (US$30,000).
2. (a) FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball Champion, D’Tigers - Players (Gold medallists) - 600,000 Naira (US$3,000).
(b) Coaches - 600,000 Naira (US$3,000).
(c) Team Officials - 250,000 Naira (US$1,250).
3. (a) 2015 FIBA Africa Under 16 Female Championships- Players (Silver Medallists) - N400,000 (US$2,000).
(b) Coaches - N400,000 (US$2,000).
(c) Team Officials - N150,000 (US$750).
4. (a) 2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship - Gold Medallists - N600,000 (US$3,000).
(b) Silver Medallists - N450,000 (US$2,250).
(c) Coaches - N450,000 (US$2,250).
(d) Team Officials - N250,000 (US$1,250).
5. (a) World English Language Scrabble Champion - Gold Medallists - N600,000.00
(b) Silver Medallists - N450,000.00.
(c) Coaches - N450,000.00.
(d) Team Officials - N250,000.00.
6. WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title - Winner (Title Holder) - N1,500,000.00.
7. (a) 2015 CAF Under 23 Cup Of Nations Champions - Players (Gold Medallists) - N500,000.00.
(b) Head Coach - N500,000.00.
(c) Assistant Coaches - N300,000.00.
(d) Other Team Officials - N300,000.00.
8. (a) 2015 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions - Players (Gold medallists) - N1,200,000.00.
(b) Head Coach - N900,000.00.
(c) Assistant Coaches - N600,000.00.
(d) Team Secretary - N300,000.00.
(e) Medical Team - N300,000.00.
(f) Other Officials - N200,000.00.
9. (a) 1985 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions - Players (Gold Medallists) - N2,000,000.00.
(b) Coaches - N1,500,000.00.
(c) Late Aikhionbare’s Next of Kin should collect his money on behalf of his family.
Speaking earlier, Buhari said the money offered the athletes was a token of appreciation for their efforts and patriotism while competing.
He said that Nigerian athletes, despite prevailing challenges, have always proven to the rest of the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable.
Buhari expressed appreciation to the athletes and officials for their consistency, determination, willpower and penchant for success, urging their coaches to keep up the momentum.
He pledged that his administration would not relent in its efforts to ensure that Nigerian sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competitions.
Buhari said "the Administration’s policy of 'change' must reflect in the way we do things either as individuals or institutions. We must strive to be prudent in the way we manage our time, financial and material resources to ensure victory at the next Olympics. We must aim for optimal performance at all international competitions."
-0- PANA VAO 21Jan2016
The promises included those made 30 years ago to reward members of the Golden Eaglets who won the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
Addressing the recipients, some of whom were represented by their relatives, Buhari announced "mouth-watering" cash rewards for the athletes as follows:
1. (a) 2015 World Wrestling Championship - Wrestler - Bronze medallist - 1,200,000 Naira (about US$6,000).
(b) The Coaches - 6,000,000 Naira (US$30,000).
2. (a) FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball Champion, D’Tigers - Players (Gold medallists) - 600,000 Naira (US$3,000).
(b) Coaches - 600,000 Naira (US$3,000).
(c) Team Officials - 250,000 Naira (US$1,250).
3. (a) 2015 FIBA Africa Under 16 Female Championships- Players (Silver Medallists) - N400,000 (US$2,000).
(b) Coaches - N400,000 (US$2,000).
(c) Team Officials - N150,000 (US$750).
4. (a) 2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship - Gold Medallists - N600,000 (US$3,000).
(b) Silver Medallists - N450,000 (US$2,250).
(c) Coaches - N450,000 (US$2,250).
(d) Team Officials - N250,000 (US$1,250).
5. (a) World English Language Scrabble Champion - Gold Medallists - N600,000.00
(b) Silver Medallists - N450,000.00.
(c) Coaches - N450,000.00.
(d) Team Officials - N250,000.00.
6. WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title - Winner (Title Holder) - N1,500,000.00.
7. (a) 2015 CAF Under 23 Cup Of Nations Champions - Players (Gold Medallists) - N500,000.00.
(b) Head Coach - N500,000.00.
(c) Assistant Coaches - N300,000.00.
(d) Other Team Officials - N300,000.00.
8. (a) 2015 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions - Players (Gold medallists) - N1,200,000.00.
(b) Head Coach - N900,000.00.
(c) Assistant Coaches - N600,000.00.
(d) Team Secretary - N300,000.00.
(e) Medical Team - N300,000.00.
(f) Other Officials - N200,000.00.
9. (a) 1985 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions - Players (Gold Medallists) - N2,000,000.00.
(b) Coaches - N1,500,000.00.
(c) Late Aikhionbare’s Next of Kin should collect his money on behalf of his family.
Speaking earlier, Buhari said the money offered the athletes was a token of appreciation for their efforts and patriotism while competing.
He said that Nigerian athletes, despite prevailing challenges, have always proven to the rest of the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable.
Buhari expressed appreciation to the athletes and officials for their consistency, determination, willpower and penchant for success, urging their coaches to keep up the momentum.
He pledged that his administration would not relent in its efforts to ensure that Nigerian sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competitions.
Buhari said "the Administration’s policy of 'change' must reflect in the way we do things either as individuals or institutions. We must strive to be prudent in the way we manage our time, financial and material resources to ensure victory at the next Olympics. We must aim for optimal performance at all international competitions."
-0- PANA VAO 21Jan2016
