…Charges State NSF Contingent On Podium Finish
By Amos Odhe,Yenagoa.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has announced cash gifts for wrestlers from the state in the Nigerian team to the recent Under-20 African championship in Morocco.
Governor Diri, who received the young wrestlers inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, rewarded gold medalists with N2 million, N1 million for silver medalist and N700,000 for the bronze winner while the coach of the female team, Oyeins Tangi, got N2.5 million.
The female medalists were Mercy Genesis (Gold 50kg), Ebi Biogos (Gold 72kg), Ebipatei Mughenbifa (Gold 65kg) and Hannah Reuben (Gold 68kg).
The male wrestlers were Stephen Izolo (Gold 65kg), Newlife Ebikeme (Silver 92kg) and Andrew Ebierilayefa (Bronze 74kg).
The governor said by their achievements, they made both Bayelsa and Nigeria proud, and urged them not to rest on their laurels but to strive for more success.
While assuring that the government will continue to support state athletes, he expressed delight that younger wrestlers were being groomed to step into the shoes of the likes of Olympic silver medallist, Blessing Oborududu.
The governor called on Bayelsa youths to emulate the wrestlers by choosing a path that brings success and honour rather than getting involved in cultism.
Presenting the wrestlers and a trophy won by the female team for the 14th time, the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, commended the governor for his continuous support and encouragement to the state’s sportsmen and women.
