Chairrman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has shed more light on the massive increase in cash rewards to Team Nigeria’s medalists at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, saying the athletes need to be motivated to achieve good results.
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Sports247 reports that Dikko explained further that motivation is essential in the quest for honour on the international sporting terrain, hence the decision to beef up rewards for Nigeria’s medal winners, who will now receive instant cash as well as additional payments into their bank accounts.
Dikko added that the extended monetary package is meant to encourage the country’s athletes to deliver strong performances in all their events during the Games, where gold medallists will now get $10,000 (being $5,000 cash and another $5,000 paid directly into their individual accounts).
He disclosed further that silver medallists will receive $5,000 (being $2,000 in cash and $3,000 in bank accounts), while bronze medallists will get $3,000 ($1,000 cash and $2,000 into the bank); all of which were approved during Dikko’s meeting with the contingent at heir training camp in Aberdeen.
The NSC chairman also disclosed that the three gold medallists during the opening round of events on Friday immediately received the revised $10,000 each, while those who won silver also got instant cash rewards of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.
“During a brief meeting with the Director General, we agreed to increase the athletes’ bonuses. After meeting the team in Aberdeen, I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls,” Dikko expatiated.
Sports247 reports further that Dikko also announced a special incentive for coaches whose athlete wins gold, as they too will get $5,000 for their efforts, all of which he said should boost this year’s contingent to achieve Nigeria’s best placement ever on the Games’ final medals table.
