2020 NSF: Gov. Diri Assures Bayelsa Athletes Of Payment Of Outstanding Allowances
By Hananeel Jackson
Bayelsa State government has assured the athletes who made the state proud during the 19th National Sports Festival, NSF in Abuja of payment of their outstanding allowances.
Governor Douye Diri gave the assurance when staff and athletes in the ministry of youth and sports development paid him a solidarity visit at government house in Yenagoa to congratulate him on his victory at the apex court on Wednesday.
Governor Diri while commending the athletes for their support and doggedness said the remaining part of the money would be released to the athletes before they depart for the rescheduled sports festival in Edo Benin City scheduled for December 3rd to 18th 2020
Governor Diri also charged the state contingents to be focused and prayerful in their quest to put the state on the global map, pointing out that as a former commissioner for sports, the welfare of athletes would be accorded priority.
On Bayelsa United the number one man in Bayelsa State urged the state owned team to return to the Nigeria professional Football League NPFL next season.
Earlier commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Mr. Daniel Igali said the essence of the visit was to formally congratulate the governor on his victory at the Supreme Court and to also appeal to him to complete the balance of the money promised the athletes by the immediate past governor.
On his part, Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports council Sir Braveman Wodi said the state athletes would make the state proud in Benin, stressing that the commitment and readiness of team Bayelsa would surpass its previous records.
The immediate past administration promise to reward athletes with One Million Naira each for the thirty-two gold medalists, N500, 000 each for the 65 silver medalists, N300, 000 each for the 50 bronze medalists and 150, 000 each for those who failed to win any medal.
Others are; N500,000 each for seventy coaches; N500,000 each for twenty organizing secretaries, N300,000 for the twenty-five support staff while members of the Local Organising Committee got N500,000 each.
