Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has splashed athletes that won gold, silver and bronze medals for the state at the just concluded 20th National Sports Festival, hosted by Edo State, and the coaches that trained the athletes with N66million.

The state emerged sixth at the end of the festival, winning 31 gold medals, 30 silver medals and 42 bronze medals, the feat, which the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, described as unprecedented achievements since the inception of the state.

Correspondent Kunle Ojo reports that Makinde announced the cash reward when he hosted the state contingents to the sports festival at the Executive Chambers of his office in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Makinde, who stated that the money would be paid to the beneficiaries within two weeks, announced N500,000 for each gold medal, which makes it N15.5million  for the 31 gold medals.

The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Seun Fakorede commended the Governor for the gesture while one of the Athletes, Babalola Mumini, appreciated Governor Makinde for his support for sports development in the state.

He appealed to the governor to ensure adequate training and retraining for their coaches and necessary logistics for the athletes.

The breakdown of the money showed that from the N66million, a total of N38.5million went to the winners of gold, silver and bronze medals, while N27.5million went to the 55 coaches that trained the athletes.