The Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Hon. Kenneth Emelu on Monday rewarded all the 2011 National Sports Festival medal winners held at Rivers State.
Hon. Emelu who presented cash rewards to all the Athletes and coaches who won medals, stated that for years and in the history of Imo Sports, medal winners from this state in the festival games have always been neglected.
“This is the first of its kind in the State, and I was motivated to do this because I want the athletes to bring more medals from “Eko 2012 games”, Emelu said.
The Imo contingent at the Garden City games in 2011 won a total of 61 Medals, 8 Gold, 16 Silver and 37 Bronze medals.
Gold medalists received the sum of 25,000 each as Silver medalists got 15,000 while Bronze medalists were given 10,000 each.
The coaches received 15,000; 10,000 and 5,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively.
Blessing Ezealor who recently put to bed received a total sum of 45,000 for winning 3 Silver medals. Others that had double medals and cash rewards were Solomon Onyemaobi (Gold and Silver), Ndidi Ike (2 Silver), Ema Edeh and Favour Okechi (2 Silver).
Meanwhile, Osuagwu Okechukwu an official who died some time this year also had his family receive 25,000 for winning a Gold medal.
In a related development, the Commissioner also used the opportunity to declare a one week camping exercise for the “Eko ’12 games” bound athletes open.
He however did reveal that the contingent will be departing for Lagos on Sunday as they will be addressed by his Excellency the Governor of the State, Chief Rochas Okorocha before their departure.
