By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has rewarded 44 athletes who won medals for the state at the second Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State, with cash incentives as part of efforts to promote sporting excellence and motivate athletes to greater achievements.
The athletes received their rewards on Tuesday during a presentation ceremony at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, following the governor’s approval of over ₦50 million in incentives for medal-winning athletes, coaches and officials who represented the state at the regional competition.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, said the governor was impressed with Akwa Ibom’s performance at the 2026 Niger Delta Games and attributed the improvement to the administration’s investment in sports development, particularly the procurement of standard equipment for athletes’ training.
Bassey recalled that the state’s performance at the first edition of the Games, hosted in Uyo, fell short of expectations. He said the subsequent release of funds by Governor Eno to procure modern sports equipment had significantly improved athletes’ preparation and competitive performance.
According to him, the governor directed that all medal winners should be rewarded, adding that the approved incentives had been paid directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The commissioner disclosed that the governor had extended his support beyond medal winners to other athletes, coaches and members of the state’s contingent, including those who did not win medals, describing the gesture as an unprecedented recognition of the entire team’s contribution to the state’s sporting campaign.
He said the initiative had established a reward culture in Akwa Ibom, where athletes’ dedication and achievements were recognised and encouraged. Bassey urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined, committed and focused on their careers, assuring them of the state government’s continued support in their pursuit of national and international success.
Under the reward scheme, gold medalists received ₦500,000 each, silver medalists ₦250,000 each, while bronze medalists received ₦150,000 each.
Among the outstanding beneficiaries was Samuel Sampson, who won three gold medals in weightlifting and received ₦1.5 million. Etoro Bassey, who won one gold and one silver medal in tennis, received ₦750,000, while Hephzibah Okon earned the same amount after winning gold in the 800 metres and silver in the 1,500 metres. Wisdom Paul also received ₦750,000 for winning gold medals in the individual and mixed tennis events.
Bassey further recalled that three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals for Nigeria at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Scotland had been rewarded with automatic employment into the state civil service, underscoring the government’s commitment to recognising outstanding sporting performances.
Responding on behalf of the athletes, Miss Beulah Bassey, a bronze medalist in scrabble, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno and the Ministry of Sports for the financial incentives, guidance and support provided throughout their preparations and participation in the competition.
She assured the state government that the athletes would intensify their efforts, improve their performances and work towards winning more medals for Akwa Ibom at future competitions.
