From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
A total of 44 Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals for the state at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State, have received cash rewards from Governor Umo Eno in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The athletes received their rewards on Tuesday during an official presentation ceremony held at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Speaking shortly before the presentation of cheques, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, said the governor was highly impressed by the state’s performance at the 2026 Niger Delta Games and had approved the release of more than N50 million as cash incentives for medal-winning athletes, coaches, and officials.
Elder Bassey attributed the athletes’ improved performance to the governor’s support for sports development, particularly the provision of standard sports equipment for training.
“After we hosted the first edition of the Niger Delta Games here in Uyo, we didn’t do as well as expected.
“However, following the approval and release of funds by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, for the Ministry of Sports to purchase sports equipment, our athletes began using standard equipment for training, and the gains are evident for everyone to see,” he said.
He explained that following the state’s impressive performance in Benin City, the governor directed that all athletes who won medals should receive cash incentives, adding that the directive had been fulfilled.
“Following our impressive outing at the Games in Benin City, Edo State, where we performed very well, the governor directed that all the athletes who won medals for the state should be rewarded with cash incentives.
“Today, he has fulfilled that promise, and I can say that all the winners have already received their rewards, paid directly into their bank accounts,” the commissioner said.
He added that the governor had extended his support beyond medal winners to include athletes who did not win medals, coaches, and other members of the state’s contingent who represented Akwa Ibom at the Games.
“Our sports-loving governor has been magnanimous enough to reward and encourage all the athletes, coaches, and the entire team that represented the state at the Games in Edo.
“This is the first time in the sporting history of this state that the entire team, both winners and those who didn’t win, have been celebrated with incentives,” he said.
The commissioner also recalled that three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals for Nigeria at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Scotland had been rewarded with automatic employment into the state civil service.
Expressing appreciation for the governor’s support, Bassey said the initiative had established a culture of recognising and rewarding sporting excellence in the state.
“We are really grateful that His Excellency has established a reward culture in which outstanding athletes are always celebrated. I want to tell you all that, as athletes, you are in the right state, and I can only encourage and motivate you to keep working hard and striving for excellence in your different sporting disciplines,” he said.
He urged the athletes to remain committed, disciplined, and dedicated to their careers, assuring them of the state’s continued support as they pursue opportunities at national and international competitions.
“The state has given you a platform to future glory; don’t take it for granted. Have faith in this ministry, have faith in this state, and be committed, dedicated, and disciplined in your chosen careers. I can assure you that even the sky will not be your limit,” he added.
Elder Bassey thanked the athletes for their efforts in representing Akwa Ibom at the regional competition and expressed optimism that they would achieve greater success at national and international levels.
Under the reward scheme, gold medalists received N500,000 each, silver medalists received !250,000 each, while bronze medalists received N150,000 each.
Among the outstanding beneficiaries was Samuel Sampson, who won three gold medals in weightlifting and received N1.5 million.
Etoro Bassey, who won one gold and one silver medal in tennis, received N750,000. Hephzibah Okon, who won gold in the 800 metres and silver in the 1,500 metres, also received N750,000.
Wisdom Paul equally received N750,000 after winning gold medals in the individual and mixed tennis events.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Miss Beulah Bassey, a bronze medalist in scrabble, expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for rewarding the athletes in recognition of their performances.
She also thanked the Ministry of Sports for its coordination, guidance, and continued support in preparing the athletes for competitions.
Beulah assured the state government that the athletes would remain committed to improving their performances and securing greater success for Akwa Ibom in future competitions.
