By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State government through the Ministry of Sports Development has received athletes from the state who won medals for Team Nigeria at the recently concluded African Senior Wrestling Championship in Casablanca, Morocco.

Team Nigeria won a total of 13 medals, comprising 10 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze.

Bayelsa born athletes, Hannah Reuben, Mercy Genesis, Ebipatei Mughenbofa, Ebi Biogos and Stephen Izolo all won gold for Nigeria while Ebikeme Newlife settled for silver and Ebierelayefa Andrew secured bronze.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali who received the athletes in his office on Tuesday on behalf of Governor Douye Diri, said the reception was to appreciate them for the joy they have brought to Bayelsa and Nigeria

Igali announced a reward of N200,000, each for the gold medals while N100,000 each to silver and bronze medals. The coaches also smiled home with N100,000 each.

“I really want to applaud our athletes for the remarkable performance they put up at the African Wrestling Championships in Morocco, and of course, you can’t record such performance without the support of the coaches So, I want to appreciate Akuh Purity, our Cuban coach, and all the coaches at the state level.”

“As a ministry, we are rewarding you with N200,000 naira each for gold, N100,000 for silver and bronze, and silver amount for the coaches,” he said.

The sports commissioner also used the medium to thanked the leadership of the National Sports Commission , NSC, led by Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade for the support which aided the athletes to put up a good show.

He also lauded the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi for his consistent magnanimity in supporting the Wrestling Federation.

In his remarks, the Director of Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, praised the performance of the wrestlers, stressing that the victory is a testament and reflection of the massive sporting investment of the state government under Governor Diri and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Speaking on behalf of Team Nigeria, Hannah Reuben who captained the contingent, expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Government, the National Sports Commission, Nigeria Wrestling Federation and CG Adeniyi among other stakeholders who have supported the team.

The highlight of the reception was the presentation of the women’s trophy to the Commissioner by the contingent

Present at the reception were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Grace Alagoa, Assistant Director Human Resource Management, Micheal Alakere, among other high-ranked ministry staff.