Diri splashes cash gifts on victorious Bayelsa Queens, African Wrestling champions

• Appeals For Upward Review Of NWFL Prize Money

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has given cash rewards to Bayelsa Queens, winners of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six competition held in Benin, Edo State, as well as medalists at the just-concluded African Wrestling Championship in Morocco.

The governor announced the cash awards while receiving the athletes on Wednesday in Government House, Yenagoa.

Players of Bayelsa Queens celebrate after beating Rivers Angels in the opening match at the 2022 Super Six competition in Benin City

The governor enjoined members of the team to maintain the winning tempo, assuring that government will give them needed support to enable them to have a successful outing in their quest for continental glory later in the year, as representative of Nigeria at the African Women football championship.

Diri also urged sponsors of the Women’s football league to have an upward review of the prize money to encourage the development of the women’s game in the country.

“It is on this note that the following rewards are hereby announced and this money has to be released before the continental clash.

“Bayelsa Queens, the first team each will go home with N500, 000 and this is because we are going to prepare for the continental championship, when you come back victorious, then you’ll know what your government will do for you.

“The Technical Adviser will go home with N700, 000, Assistant coaches N500, 000 each, Secretary of the management team, N500, 000, Chairman N500, 000. The team and other team members are 300,000 each, and Board members, 200,000 each.

“Because we just received all your laurels, the most valuable player will receive an additional N100, 000 from the state government and an additional N200, 000 from me, the highest goal scorer will have an additional N100, 000 and an additional 200,000 from me. The best goalkeeper will have N100, 000 and an additional N200, 000 from me.”

Diri also expressed delight with the Bayelsa contingent at the 2022 African Wrestling Championship in El Jedida, Morocco, where the wrestlers clinched a gold, three silver and one bronze medals.

He said: e said”, “For the continental kings in wrestling, the coach will go home with N850, 000 and an additional N300, 000 from me.

“Blessing Oborududu, you have done very well and will go home with N700, 000 and an additional N300, 000 from me to make it N1 million. Ebikewenemo Welson N500, 000, Patience Opuene N500, 000, Hannah Reuben N500, 000 and Ebi Biogos, who brought us bronze, N300, 000.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, thanked the governor for his support of the sports sector, saying it has resulted in the outstanding performances of the athletes at the various local and international competitions.