By Ogunbayo Oluwaseyi (INN), Ogun
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has awarded three representatives of the State to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for their superlative, medalist-winning performance.
Latifat Tijani, Isau Ogunkunle (OFR) and Dorcas Adesokan, all Ogun State indigenes, each received a sum of one million naira from Governor Abiodun for their excellent performance at the international sports.
Speaking at the event held in his office, Oke Mosan, Governor Abiodun says the paralympic athletes have defied their challenges with a strong determination to explore their capabilities to excel and this have made them role models fit for other individuals with disabilities.
Governor Abiodun assured that his administration will keep rewarding excellence while improving the welfare of sportspersons in the State. He further expressed interest in hosting the National Sports Festival in the State.
Prior to the reward by the Governor, Nigeria’s female badminton player, Dorcas Adesokan, had said she felt neglected after representing Nigeria without any reward from the Federal Government.
According to her, that they (sportsmen) are not being appreciated despite representing Nigeria at the Olympics was discouraging.
Adesokan said: “there was no reward since we came back from the Olympics. The only reward of appreciation so far is the N1m Governor Abiodun gave us.”
Adesokan was awarded N1m alongside Isau Ogunkunle, Nigerian para table-tennis bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and Latifat Tijani, gold medalist in para power lifting at the Tokyo Olympics.
Are Feyisetan, coach of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation also received N500,000 from the Governor.