Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Tuesday rewarded wrestlers who  represented the country at the  Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The governor gave the wrestlers and coaches N13.9m  during a reception at Government House, Yenagoa.

Each gold medallist got  N1.5m,  each silver medallist got   N1m  and N700,000 for each  bronze  medallist.

The fighters  who  did not win medals received  N500,000 each,  while  the coaches got  N1m each, according to a  statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah-Agbo.

The gold medallists  are Bayelsa-born Blessing Oborodudu (68 kg), Aminat Adeniyi ( 62 kg) and Adekuroye Odunayo (57 kg).

Onyebuchi Blessing won silver in the women’s 76kg  while  Melvin Bibo won silver  in the men’s 86kg division.

Amas Daniel and Ebikewenimo Welson won bronze  in men’s 65kg and 57kg  respectively while Bose Samuel captured bronze in the women’s 53kg.

Speaking at the Council Chamber, Government House, Dickson congratulated the champions for making Bayelsa State proud.

He noted that the state is the headquarters of wrestling in Nigeria and Africa,  saying that he would not relent to consolidate on the gains recorded by the wrestlers at the Games.

Dickson said, “I want to congratulate you for winning medals, making Bayelsa State proud once more. Bayelsa is the headquarters of wrestling in Nigeria and Africa. We are serious about promoting and supporting sports in this state.

“Every Bayelsan is a wrestler. Before the end of this year, we shall inaugurate a wrestling gymnasium we have started building. We have a way of supporting and encouraging all sportsmen and women.”

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation,  Daniel Igali,  commended the governor for supporting the  wrestlers before  the Games.

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