Gov. AbdulRazaq rewards Kwara athletes, clears 16-Year arrears of Kwara United players

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday honoured the state’s athletes who represented Kwara at the just-concluded National Sports Festival, Gateway 2024, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, rewarding them with cash prizes for their outstanding performances.

At a reception held at the State Banquet Hall in Ilorin, the governor announced cash rewards of one million naira each for gold medalists, five hundred thousand naira for silver medalists, and three hundred thousand naira for those who won bronze. Kwara State placed 14th overall on the national medals table, securing six gold, eleven silver, and twelve bronze medals across various disciplines.

Describing the event as symbolic, Governor AbdulRazaq said the state was proud of the athletes for their patriotism and dedication. “You have made us proud, and this is our little way of saying thank you,” he stated, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting sports development and rewarding excellence.

In a major highlight of the evening, the governor announced that his administration had cleared a long-standing debt owed to past and present players and coaches of Kwara United Football Club. The payment, amounting to two hundred and one million naira, represents outstanding sign-on fees that had remained unpaid for the past sixteen years.

“This again underscores our commitment to the welfare of all, including our athletes and coaches,” Governor AbdulRazaq declared. “We have not only invested in infrastructure but also in people. It is only fair that those who have served this state in sports be treated with dignity.”

Since assuming office, the governor has spearheaded major upgrades to sporting infrastructure in Kwara, including the construction of an indoor sports hall, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a table tennis arena, and a modern squash court complex—facilities many regard as among the best in Nigeria and Africa.

Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized that these investments and welfare reforms are part of a strategic vision to make Kwara a hub for talent development in sports, positioning the state as a key contributor to national development and prosperity.

The reception drew top government officials, coaches, sports administrators, and the athletes themselves, many of whom expressed appreciation for the recognition and support. Stakeholders hailed the gesture, noting that it would inspire athletes to strive for greater excellence and renew public trust in government promises.

The governor used the occasion to call on residents to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attributing part of the state’s developmental momentum to strong federal support.

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