The director-general of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade has revealed a new ‘reward system’ that will provide benefits for a cross-section of people, apart from only athletes and coaches.
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Sports247 gathered that, unlike the past, when only athletes and team officials were rewarded if the country’s contingent excels internationally, Olopade said the new approach will include stakeholders, journalists and business owners.
He pointed out that the decision to spread sports rewards across board is based on President Bola Tinubu’s policy of showing appreciation to anyone who brings honour to Nigeria outside the shores of the country.
The NSC’s top shot expatiated, “We have changed the way we treat our athletes. We have said that, as a nation, we must look after our athletes, either elite ones or those at the grassroots.
“We must look out for them and take care of them because they represent the nation. Of course, that’s one thing which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is particular about.
“In his words, when you do well for the country outside Nigeria, a very grateful nation awaits you. That’s the motivation we have for these athletes who are competing for Nigeria right now.”
Olopade went on to reveal that the new reward policy includes training grants for athletes and appreciation bonuses for everyone who accompanies the team when they achieve international success.
“We are determined to ensure that our athletes have money any time they need it. That’s why we are paying them grants for their training and preparation.
“The appreciation bonus will now go beyond only the practitioners. It will also include the media, advisers, officials, and those who are creating content for the world to see.
“It will also include entrepreneurs in sports business and all stakeholders who are part of the victory. In the final analysis, Nigerian youths and everybody in sports must be grateful to President Tinubu.
“These are beautiful days all around us in Nigeria’s sports sector. This will encourage our athletes to go out there and make our country proud,” Olopade enthused.
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