National Youth Games: Naira Rain As FCT Awards Athletes

National Youth Games: Naira Rain As FCT Awards Athletes

By Niyi Busari

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA on Wednesday awarded athletes who represented the city in the 2021 National South Games.

In order to further encouraged the young lads, FCT doled out millions of Naira on the athletes that won various medals for the nation’s seat of power in the 2021 National Youth Games, NYG held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The minister of state, FCT, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu announced the rewards during a reception organised in honour of the Team FCT to the 6th edition of the NYG.

The minister who was represented by the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Hajiya Hadiza Kabir said the gesture is the FCTA’s way of appreciating the athletes for their commitment and also motivating them to do better in subsequent games.

The minister announced that each gold medal winner will receive ₦150, 000; silver medallists,

₦100,000 while bronze winners went home with ₦50, 000 reward, individually

In her remarks, the minister of state lauded the athletes and appreciated them for their “uncommon display at the different sporting events you took part in, thus making FCT and the administration very proud.

“The FCT administration is desirous and committed to engage and empower the youths of the territory through sporting activities by continuous support of all her activities geared towards achieving this purpose. Sporting activity is one of the ways in which the youths can be empowered and strengthened physically,” she said.

Some of the gold medal winners at the reception

She announced that the FCT administration is planning for a befitting award night for the athletes. She thanked and appreciated the parents of the athletes for releasing their children “not only to participate in the sporting activities but also allow them travel all the way to Ilorin for the competition.”

In his speech, the Acting Director, FCT Sports Council, Mr Luka Istifanus commended the bravery and determination of the athletes to excel in the games and added that athletes who did not win medals will receive ₦15,000 motivation to work hard in the next edition of the competition.

Team FCT came 7th in the overall table with 36 medals made up 10 gold, 9 silver and 17 bronze. 29 athletes did not win a medal out of the total 65 athletes that made up Team FCT.

The gold medallists got ₦1, 500 000 in total, silver medal winners got ₦900, 000 and bronze winners got ₦850, 000 in sum

The 29 athletes who received ₦15, 000 each got ₦435, 000 in total.

The coaches and team officials will also get their own rewards.

The 7th edition of the National Youth Games, NYG will hold in Kano State in September.