Nigerian government announces improved bonuses for paralympic athletes

The Federal Government has announced an upward review of the winning bonuses for Nigeria’s Paralympic athletes participating in the forthcoming 2024 Paralympic Games, billed for August 28 to September 8.

According to NAN, this is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Kehinde Ajay, Director of Press in the Ministry of Sports Development, Abuja.

Ajay quoted the minister, John Owan Enoh, as saying this during an interactive session with the para-athletes in their training camp at Saarbrucken, Germany.

Enoh said that the renewed bonus template provides $15, 000, $10,000 and $5, 000 for gold, silver and bronze medal winners, respectively.

This, according to the minister, is in sharp contrast with what was obtained during the just concluded Olympic Games, where $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 were earmarked for winners of gold, silver and bronze, respectively.

He explained that the gesture is part of the Federal Government’s recognition and appreciation of the sacrifices, dedication and commitment of the athletes in striving to represent the country and make it proud in the community of nations.

The minister urged the athletes to see the gesture as a morale booster aimed at re-energising the sporting spirit in them, re-awakening their patriotism and giving them the much-desired courage to propel them to glory.

Enoh emphasised the need for the athletes to do better than Team Nigeria’s poor performance at the just concluded Olympic Games.

“The country (Nigeria) as it is now is not in a happy mood and I need all of you to look at yourselves as those people that are going to create and bring back joy,” Enoh added.