In order to round off the year 2022, the Kwara State government gave N8.5 million and an award of excellence to Kwara athletes who had made the state proud.
Bola Magaji, the chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, spoke at the event and praised the athletes for their endurance in the face of intimidation from other states about poaching. He also noted that the current administration is committed to improving the welfare of its athletes.
Magaji thought that honoring the state’s athletes was a dream come true and voiced trust in the governor’s abilities to reform the sports industry.
In his goodwill message, the Board Chairman of the Kwara State Television Service, Hameed Adio, described AbdulRazaq as a Governor with few words and many actions, adding that the cash reward to the state athletes was an indication that the present administration is committed to sports development in all ramifications.
He encouraged parents and guidance to support their children and wards to take sports as a career, to guarantee its growth from the grassroots.
Also speaking, a CAF Instructor and former Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Emmanuel Obafemi applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for celebrating the state’s athletes with cash rewards, noting that the recognition will spur them to positively deliver in the many championships to come.
A veteran handball player, Mr Jide Ojomu said the government of AbdulRazaq has changed the narratives with his approach to sports development, urging the athletes to reciprocate the gesture in the coming years by winning more laurels for the state.
A Board member representing Para Athlete in the Commission, AbdulKadir Biliqis-Abolore said the governor has demonstrated genuine love and passion for Para Athletes, with his end-of-the-year recognition and award, adding that the honour will bring out the best in them in future competitions.
Each Para Athletes went home with the sum of N200,000, N150,000 and N100,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals respectfully, while Offa Volleyball Club got N1million, Offa Football Club and Amputee soccer team received N500,000 respectively.
Wheelchair Basketball collected N300,000 as appreciation for their milestones in the year 2022