Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has rewarded wrestlers from the state that won medals at the 13th National Wrestling Classics held last weekend at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Bayelsa emerged overall winners of the wrestling championship, hosted by the state.
According to the state Governor’s press secretary, Mr Daniel Alabra, the Governor gave each gold medalist N500,000, silver medalists N200,000 and bronze medalists N100,000 each.
Senator Diri presented the cash rewards to the winners on Thursday after the weekly Prosperity Walk programme at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.
He also rewarded Team Bayelsa with the sum of N2 million while the Dynamite Wrestling Club in the state that came third got N1 million.
The Bayelsa governor said the gesture was to encourage and motivate athletes to continue to excel in future championships.
He directed the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali, who is also President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, to scout for young talents at the grassroots in the quest to producing future champions from the state.
“l congratulate all winners in the wrestling championship. Wrestling is indigenous to Bayelsa State. So it should continue to maintain its first position. All of our competitors must come tops at national events, especially in wrestling and other combat sports.
“I have been talking with Blessing Oborududu, the Olympic silver medalist, who has made a mark in wrestling, to mentor and train young ones that will take over from her upon retirement.” He said.
State reporters revealed that from a list of 25 states that participated in the wrestling tournament, Bayelsa state came out top in both male and female categories, while one of the state wrestlers emerged as the overall outstanding competitor.
