Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has honoured athletes who represented the state at the 2024 National Sports Festival with cash rewards and certificates of recognition, while also clearing a 16-year-old N201 million debt owed to Kwara United Football Club.
Speaking at a reception in Ilorin, the Governor hailed the athletes as “heroes and heroines” for their exceptional performance in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they secured six gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Gold medalists received N1 million each, silver medalists were awarded N500,000, and bronze medalists got N300,000. Coaches and officials also received cash rewards.
“This again underscores our commitment to the welfare of all, including our athletes and coaches,” AbdulRazaq stated.
In addition to the cash incentives, the Governor announced the immediate payment of N201 million in sign-on fees owed to Kwara United players and coaches — a debt that had remained unsettled for over a decade.
Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted his administration’s continued investment in sports infrastructure, including an Olympic-size swimming pool, modern indoor sports halls, and Africa’s only eight-winged squash courts. He described these efforts as part of a broader strategy to position Kwara as “Nigeria’s number one talent hub.”
Stakeholders at the event included Sports Commission Chairman Coach Bola Magaji, former Olympian Hameed Adio, and SWAN Chairman Ismail Ayodeji — all of whom applauded the Governor’s commitment to sports development and youth empowerment in the state.
