Some Delta State athletes who were allegedly lured to other states in preparation for the 22nd National Sports Festival holding in Ogun State have made a u-turn following the approval of N1million cash reward by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for gold medallist.

To boost the morale of Team Delta ahead of this year’s National Sports Festival, Governor Oborevwori, during the week, approved a cash award of N1million for each gold medallist who helped the state topped the medals table at the 21st edition of the Games, tagged Asaba 2022. Silver medallists got N500,000 each, while N250,000 was approved for each bronze medal.

Team Delta made history at the 21st National Sports Festival by winning an unprecedented 576 medals, made up of 280 gold, 167 silver and 129 bronze. The Governor’s cash reward has yielded dividend, as some of the top stars who allegedly abandoned training in Asaba for other states have returned to Team Delta.

The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that some coaches, who were bent on sabotaging the current Delta Sports Commission board, allegedly lured some of the top stars to other states with a promise of securing higher wages for them.

However, the athletes have since discovered that it was all fake promises from their coaches and have retraced their steps. Director General of Delta Sports Commission, Festus Ohwojero revealed to The Guardian, yesterday, that virtually all their top stars have returned home.

“Some coaches lied to some of our top athletes that they will get higher pay in other states and that our governor will not give cash reward to any athlete,” he said. “Immediately our governor approved N1million for every gold medal won at the last edition of the National Sports Festival, all of them (athletes) started returning home. As we speak, virtually all our top stars in various camps in Asaba preparing for both the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo and the National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

“Our top swimmers are in Asaba now because we have to relocate them from Obiaruku swimming stretch to a world standard swimming pool inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba,” he stated.

Ohwojero also hinted that Team Delta is preparing a large contingent of 316 athletes and 62 coaches for the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State next month.

Recall that two of the state’s swimmers, Clinton Opute and Timi Akiayefa, got N14million from Governor Oborevwori’s cash reward for winning eight and six individual gold medals respectively at the last National Sports Festival.

Last year, Governor Oborevwori boosted the morale of the state’s junior athletes preparing for the eighth National Youth Games, which Delta also hosted. It paid off as Team Delta topped the medals table.