A former Kwara Chess coach, Pius Bamigboye, has promised to motivate athletes representing the state at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta with cash rewards.
In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Canada, Bamigboye, said that the initiative is aimed at encouraging the athletes to excel and win medals for Kwara.
According to Bamigboye, athletes who win gold medals in team events will receive N50,000, while individual gold medalists will pocket N25,000.
Silver medalists in team events will earn N40,000, and individual silver medalists will receive N20,000.
Bronze medalists in team events will get N20,000, while individual bronze medalists will receive N10,000.
Bamigboye also provided N20,000 for refreshments to help the athletes cope with the mental demands of the board game.
The former Chess player explained that the motivation is necessary due to the limited participation of states in Chess.
He promised to complement the state’s government incentives to boost the athletes’ chances of winning. (NAN)