Sanwo-Olu splashes cash on Lagos Team for winning National Youth Games
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday hosted the Team Lagos contingent to the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, to a state reception at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Ikeja.
With 52 gold, 32 silver and 26 bronze, Team Lagos claimed the overall title for the first time since the inception of the U-15 Championship in 2013.
At the reception, the governor announced various cash rewards for medallists, non-medallists, coaches and the management of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
According to Sanwo-Olu, each of the 41 single gold medallists from the games will get N500,000; those who won gold in a team of two will also get N500,000, while gold medallists in large team events will get N1m as a team.
For silver medallists, Sanwo-Olu also announced a reward of N300,000 for the 22 individual winners, just as winners in a team of two will also get N300,000, while silver medallists in team events will get N700,000.
The Governor also rewarded 19 individual bronze medallists with N250,000 each. Winners in doubles will also get N250,000 as a team, while those who won bronze in team events will get N500,000.
The management of the Lagos State Sports Commission also got the sum of N25m, while 61 coaches got N300,000 each, just as athletes who didn’t win medals got N100,000 each.
The governor expressed gratitude to Team Lagos for making the state proud at last month’s event.
He said, “I want to thank all of you. I want to say that the cash is to show a small measure of appreciation.
“What you require the most is the facilities and the environment, and all the sports equipment you need to excel. You have helped us write the name of Lagos State in gold. The Governor of Delta State called me and acknowledged that we have the best set of athletes in this country.
“You have to show good examples at all times. This government and these officials want to work with you to become national champions. We want to keep you, we want to nurture you so that you can go and compete internationally.”
