Diri Showers Bayelsa Wrestling Champions With Cash Rewards

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State: Governor Douye Diri has shown his commitment to promoting sports in Bayelsa State by rewarding the medalists of the 3rd Gov Diri National Wrestling Classics with significant cash prizes.

Following Bayelsa’s dominant victory at the championship, which saw them claim the overall title, Governor Diri presented the athletes with their awards on Thursday morning. Each gold medalist received a handsome N500,000, silver medalists were rewarded with N200,000, and bronze medalists walked away with N100,000 each.

Team Bayelsa was also showered with a N2 million bonus for their overall performance, while the Dynamite Wrestling Club, which secured third place, received a N1 million incentive.

In his address, Governor Diri emphasized the importance of nurturing sporting talent in the state, particularly in wrestling, a sport deeply ingrained in Bayelsa’s culture. He expressed his desire to see Bayelsa athletes consistently dominating at national and international levels.

“I congratulate all winners in the wrestling championship,” he said. “Wrestling is indigenous to Bayelsa State. So it should continue to maintain its first position. All of our competitors must come tops at national events, especially in wrestling and other combat sports.”

The Governor further announced his administration’s ongoing efforts to identify young talents at the grassroots level. This initiative will see established athletes, like Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborududu, playing a mentorship role in grooming future champions.

“I have been talking with Blessing Oborududu… to mentor and train young ones that will take over from her upon retirement,” Diri stated.

Commissioner for Sports and President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali, highlighted the impressive participation in the championship with 25 states and 11 clubs vying for top honors. He commended Bayelsa’s dominance, highlighting their first-place finishes in all categories, including Greco-Roman, freestyle, and the female category.

The governor’s generous rewards and focus on talent development demonstrate a clear commitment to fostering a thriving sporting culture in Bayelsa State. This investment is expected to fuel the rise of new champions and contribute to the state’s sporting legacy.