The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in another show of appreciation has splashed $25,000 on Team Nigeria athletes who have so far won medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In a ceremony held at the Hilton Garden in Birmingham, the athletes and their coaches were rewarded for bringing glory to the fatherland

Gold medal winners, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, received $5,000 each, while their coaches were also given $3,000 each.

Folashade won gold in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event while Adenike won gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event.

Taiwo Laidi, a silver medalist in the women’s 76kg weightlifting event, received $3,000 for her effort.

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For bronze medal winners, Edidiong Joseph Umaofia, Islamiyat Yusuf and Mary Osijo, all got $2,000 each for their effort.

The event had in attendance, the Chief of Staff to the Minster of Youth and Sports Development, Abba Yola, Director of finance at the ministry Olufehinti Olusegun and Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye who is the leader of the delegation for team Nigeria to the Games.

While responding on behalf of the athletes, Gold medalist in the 59kg Women’s Weightlifting event, Folashade Lawal said “I am pleased we got rewarded even before the end of the competition, I thank the Minister for Sports, Sunday Dare for being proactive in this regard”.

“It is quite timely for us, as this act will encourage and spur all athletes to do more. For me, I want to thank the Minster for this and I’m very excited” she said.