In a major gesture recognising sporting excellence, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has rewarded athletes who represented the state at the 2024 National Sports Festival with cash gifts and certificates of recognition, while also settling a long-standing N201 million debt owed to Kwara United Football Club.

At a reception held on Friday in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq praised the athletes as “heroes and heroines in their own right,” noting that their six gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals won in Abeokuta, Ogun State, had brought pride to the state.

Each gold medalist received N1 million, silver medalists were awarded N500,000, while bronze medalists received N300,000. Members of the coaching crew also received undisclosed cash rewards.

“For us, these athletes are our heroes and heroines in their own right,” the Governor said. “With six gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals, these athletes have made us proud, and we are proud of their efforts, exploits, and patriotism.”

Governor AbdulRazaq further announced the immediate payment of a backlog of N201 million in sign-on fees owed to Kwara United players and coaches — a debt that had lingered for 16 years.

“This again underscores our commitment to the welfare of all, including our athletes and coaches,” the Governor added.

Highlighting his administration’s investments in sports infrastructure, Governor AbdulRazaq said the state now boasts upgraded and newly constructed facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool, modern indoor sports halls, and Africa’s only eight-winged squash courts.

“Our government’s investments in sports are strategic,” he said. “Within the last six years, we have upgraded several facilities and built new ones. Kwara State is now positioned as Nigeria’s number one talent hub.”

Officials present at the event included Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji; Director of Sports, Ibrahim Bako; Chairman of the Ilorin West Local Government Football Council, Owolabi Agbaji Wopa; and Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Kwara State, Ismail Ayodeji.

Coach Magaji credited the Governor’s infrastructural developments and welfare support for the athletes’ successes, noting that “there is hardly a month without a Kwara athlete representing Nigeria nationally or internationally.”

Former Olympian and ex-Kwara State Sports Commissioner, Hameed Adio, commended the Governor’s focus on combining sports with education, describing it as “a clear path to producing future superstars.”

SWAN Chairman Ayodeji praised the Governor’s intervention in clearing Kwara United’s financial backlog, adding that further progress could be achieved if the club’s Confederation Cup matches are hosted in Ilorin to boost morale and stimulate the local economy.

The event marked yet another milestone in Kwara State’s ongoing transformation of its sports and youth development sectors.