• Swimmers Relocate To Asaba From Obiaruku
Some Delta State athletes who have been allegedly lured to different states in preparation for the twenty second Nationwide Sports activities Competition holding in Ogun State have made a u-turn following the approval of N1million money reward by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for gold medallist.
To spice up the morale of Staff Delta forward of this yr’s Nationwide Sports activities Competition, Governor Oborevwori, in the course of the week, permitted a money award of N1million for every gold medallist who helped the state topped the medals desk on the twenty first version of the Video games, tagged Asaba 2022. Silver medallists received N500,000 every, whereas N250,000 was permitted for every bronze medal.
Staff Delta made historical past on the twenty first Nationwide Sports activities Competition by successful an unprecedented 576 medals, made up of 280 gold, 167 silver and 129 bronze. The Governor’s money reward has yielded dividend, as a few of the high stars who allegedly deserted coaching in Asaba for different states have returned to Staff Delta.
The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that some coaches, who have been bent on sabotaging the present Delta Sports activities Fee board, allegedly lured a few of the high stars to different states with a promise of securing larger wages for them.
Nevertheless, the athletes have since found that it was all faux guarantees from their coaches and have retraced their steps. Director Common of Delta Sports activities Fee, Festus Ohwojero revealed to The Guardian, yesterday, that just about all their high stars have returned house.
“Some coaches lied to a few of our high athletes that they are going to get larger pay in different states and that our governor is not going to give money reward to any athlete,” he mentioned. “Instantly our governor permitted N1million for each gold medal gained on the final version of the Nationwide Sports activities Competition, all of them (athletes) began returning house. As we communicate, just about all our high stars in varied camps in Asaba making ready for each the Niger Delta Sports activities Competition in Uyo and the Nationwide Sports activities Competition in Ogun State.
“Our high swimmers are in Asaba now as a result of we have now to relocate them from Obiaruku swimming stretch to a world customary swimming pool contained in the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba,” he acknowledged.
Ohwojero additionally hinted that Staff Delta is making ready a big contingent of 316 athletes and 62 coaches for the maiden Niger Delta Sports activities Competition holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State subsequent month.
Recall that two of the state’s swimmers, Clinton Opute and Timi Akiayefa, received N14million from Governor Oborevwori’s money reward for successful eight and 6 particular person gold medals respectively on the final Nationwide Sports activities Competition.
Final yr, Governor Oborevwori boosted the morale of the state’s junior athletes making ready for the eighth Nationwide Youth Video games, which Delta additionally hosted. It paid off as Staff Delta topped the medals desk.
