SPRF To Raise N10bn As Reward For Sporting Youth

By Victor Okoye

The Sports Performance Reward Fund (SPRF) says it intends to raise N10 billion as reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth.

President of SPRF, Musa Kida, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a world news conference to unveil plans of the Fund.

Kida explained that the funds would be raised from the private and public sectors, from individuals and organisations at home and abroad.

He said that the funds would be available as reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth who attain podium success at the Olympics, Commonwealth, Africa Games and major World Championships.

“At the moment the proposed rewards are as follows: Olympics: Gold – N10 million, Silver- N7.5 million and Bronze- N5 million.

“CommonWealth: Gold – N5 million, Silver – N3 Million and Bronze – N2 million.

“Africa Games: Gold- N3 million, Silver – N2 million and Bronze -N1 million.

“The rewards for medals at major world championships will be same as the Africa Games,” he said.

He said the main objective of the SPRF was to drive, motivate Nigerian youth with sporting talent to put in the hard work and sacrifice required to be the best in the world.

“Our goal is to establish a guaranteed and sure reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth.

“We want to make sports an oasis of excellence in Nigeria.

“For instance, if you can run 9.5 secs in 100 metres, on top of what government can or will do for you, we will motivate and help you.

“You will become a world champion and a millionaire,” he said.

He also said that the SPRF planned to attract massive private sector interest in sports and institute a private sector led sports culture in the county.

He said this was to ensure that Nigeria becomes a major sports power in the next three Olympic circles.

The president thanked the Minister for Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, for assuring the SPRF of his support, adding that the initiative was in line with the aspirations of sports business in Nigeria.

“We also thank all that have commenced contributions to this noble course and corporate bodies that have shown keen committed interest.

“We want to assure all that this is a time for all of us to get this right.

“We do hope therefore that the SPRF will get maximum support from the local and international media as well,” he said.

Earlier, Chioma Ajunwa, an ex-olympian who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the SPRF said transparency was key to the realisation of the objectives of the SPRF.

Ajunwa, who won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the Olympics (Long Jump), said “the SPRF intends to achieve this by keeping an open book that is there for all interested persons and parties to see.

“All donations, contributions and any manner of support is done on the website and those not done directly are reflected on the site.

“Also, all disbursements to recipients are posted on the website which is accessible to the public.”

She said that hard work, dedication and discipline was key to achieving her feat at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, while calling on Nigerian youths to stay focused.

Godwin Kienka, Executive Secretary, SPRF said that the Fund was committed to working with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to attract the private sector and change the narrative about sports in Nigeria.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Isaac Aregbesola