Bayelsa govt rewards victorious C’wealth wrestling medalists

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday received the three wrestlers that won gold medals at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games held at Gold Coast, Australia.

The governor also received two wrestling bronze medalists, and doled out millions of naira to the victorious Bayelsa indigenes to the competition.

According to the press statement by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, the gold medalists include Bayelsa-born Blessing Oborodudu in the 68 kg Class, Aminat Adeniyi in the 62 kg and Adekuroye Odunayo in the 57 kg class, all in the female freestyle, while Onyebuchi Blessing won silver in the women’s 76kg and Melvin Bibo in the men’s 86kg division.

The two bronze medalists include, Amas Daniel and Ebikewenimo Welson, who won bronze medal in men’s 65kg and 57kg weight classes while Samuel Boss captured bronze in the women’s 53kg.

Speaking during the reception at Government House in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson congratulated the champions for making Bayelsa State proud, stressing that the state is the headquarters of wrestling in Nigeria and Africa.

“I want to congratulate you for winning medals and 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 commission a wrestling gymnasium we have started. We have a way of supporting and encouraging all sports men and women. All gold medalists will go home with N1.5m, silver medalists will go home with N1m, bronze medalists to N700, 000 while participants who didn’t win medals will smile home with the sum of N500, 000. Coaches are to get N1million each and the medical personnel will also have a handshake from the governor,” he stated.