Up to 65 under-15 Abuja athletes who took part during 2021 National Youth Games (NYG) have been rewarded by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The athletes who still in secondary were full of joy and appreciation as those who won gold medals got N150, 000 each.
Each of the silver medalists smiled home with N100, 000 while each bronze medalist received N50, 000 either in cash or through account details.
During a short but colourful appreciation ceremony organised for the young FCT athletes who participated at the 6th NYG held in Ilorin, Kwara State, FCT Director of Sports Mr. Lukas Istifanus said the essence of the event was to encourage upcoming lads.
He said the reward which is specifically to aid their academic and other developmental pursuits will go a long way in off-setting their academic bills.
The FCT sports director commended the bravery and determination of the athletes to excel in the games and added that athletes who did not win medals will receive ₦15, 000 motivation to work hard in the next edition of the competition.
He restated the commitment to the FCTA in the development of sports and wellbeing of the athletes.
FCT minister of state, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who was represented at the brief ceremony held at the Area Cultural Center by mandate secretary, Social Development secretariat, Hajiya Hadisa Mohammed Kabir, commended the athletes for making FCT proud.
“I want to sincerely thank and appreciate you for an uncommon display at the different sporting events you pertook in, thus making the FCT and administration very proud.
“FCT administration is desirous and committed to engage and empower the youths of the territory through sporting activities by continuous support of all of her activities geared toward s achieving this purpose.
“Sporting activity is one of the ways in which the youths can be empowered and strengthened physically, so beyond rhetoric, it is an engagement that should be embraced and supported by all well-meaning Nigerians including private organisations. FCT will continue to support all sporting activities in the territory and beyond,” she said.
She also thanked the parents of the athletes for always releasing their children to represent FCT in sporting activities.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank and appreciate the parents of these young ambassadors of sports in the FCT for seeing the need to release their young children not to only participate in the sporting event but to travel all the ways to Ilorin for the competition,” she said.
Team FCT won 36 medals including 10 gold, 9 silver and 17 bronze to place 7th at the 6th NYG.
The sum of N3, 685, 000 was given to FCT athletes as appreciation for winning medals at the Games.
The 7th edition of the NYG is expected to take place in Kano State in September, 2022.
