It was another great and laudable moment in the history of Anambra State as Governor Willie Obiano on Monday, hosted athletes who represented the state at the 20th Edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged ‘Edo 2020.
Besides, the contingent featured in 13 sporting events, recorded thirty-seven medals as well as finishing 17th on the medal’s table.
Reports confirms that Team Anambra performed exceedingly well, of which the resultant effect was very glaring as 10-year-old Stephanie Onusiriuka emerged the Best Overall Gymnast in the country with four medals (one gold, two silver and one bronze) as well as Nnamdi Chinecherem who won gold in Javelin with a throw of 73.71 metres.
Addressing the contingent at his country home in Aguleri, Gov. Obiano lauded them for surpassing the previous record and thanked them for making the state proud.
He further urged all the medalist to thrive so as to improve in their next outing as well as aim for the best at all times. He also urged youths to emulate them as his administration has created an enabling environment for them to show case their talents, be encouraged and promoted to be the best in the society.
Gov. Obiano equally thanked the Chairman of Sports Commission, Chief Tony Oli, coaches and officials for working very hard to ensure that all machinery were put in place for a successful and hitch free outing at the National Sports festival.
Speaking to Sports Writers, chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC), Tony Oli showered encomium on the Governor for motivating the athletes as well as making sure that they lacked nothing in camp and throughout the NSF in Edo as well visiting the team to physically boost their confidence.
Oli further pointed out that the team’s last outing in Edo has really helped to reshape the athletes as well as inspire them to desire more medals in subsequent competitions. Tony further noted that the ASSDC is equally monitoring the progress of these athletes in anticipation of the 2022 edition of the festival to be hosted by Delta State in 2022, with the hope of getting more results.
Reports confirmed that the six athletes who won gold medal got one million naira each, nine silver medalists received five hundred thousand naira each while the twenty-two bronze medalists were given the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira each.
The coaches were not left out, as those of them whose athletes won medals in different sporting events were also rewarded by the State Government. Paul Okechukwu who emerged the best Coach, got the sum of one million naira, others received five hundred, three hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand naira respectively.
However, Team Anambra amassed a total of 37 medals with 6 Gold, 9 Silver and 22 Bronze medals to record its best performance since the inception of the prestigious biennial festival as against 5 Gold, 11 Silver and 13 Bronze recorded in the previous edition.
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