*President says it’s first time full presidential sporting rewards delivered within one year
By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the Federal Government has fully redeemed the cash rewards promised to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their outstanding performance on the international stage.
In a statement on his official X handle on Thursday, the President said each D’Tigress player received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each official got the equivalent of $50,000.
According to him, the payment completes the full package of cash rewards, national honours and three-bedroom homes in Abuja earlier pledged to the team.
“For the first time, a Federal Government has fulfilled this scale of presidential sporting rewards in full within one year,” President Tinubu stated. “We had to follow the processes required by law and ensure that every commitment was properly implemented. That took time, but a promise made must be a promise kept.”
The President also disclosed that the government is concluding outstanding cash payments for the Super Falcons.
He noted that Super Falcons players and officials have already received title documents to their allocated houses and their National Honours certificates. He added that the promise of houses and national honours made to Super Eagles players has also been redeemed.
“Our athletes who bring honour to Nigeria deserve more than applause. They deserve a country that keeps its word,” he said.
President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to Nigerian athletes, saying: “My promise to every Nigerian Athlete is: make NIGERIA proud, and come back to a grateful Nation.”
He concluded: “Congratulations once again, our athletes. Nigeria is proud of you.”
The D’Tigress and Super Falcons have in recent years raised Nigeria’s profile in global sports, with the basketball team dominating Africa and the football team flying the country’s flag at the World Cup.
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