Covid-19: Dare Orders Payment Of #50,000 To Athletes

Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare has reportedly ordered the payment of funds into the accounts of Nigerian athletes to reduce the financial stress of the athletes during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.

This was revealed in a statement from the media office of the minister, that the payments were made from the N10m donated by the Chairman of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname, and the N1m from an unnamed Nigerian as take-off of the athletes’ relief fund.

The statement reads, “The sum of N50,000 is being paid into the direct account of each of the athletes from the Central Bank of Nigeria account of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development."

“It would be recalled that the minister had floated a relief fund for the athletes whose sources of earnings had ceased as a result of the pandemic, following the suspension of all major sporting events in the world."

“The World Athletics Governing body two days ago also took a cue from the Nigerian example by floating a $500m appeal trust fund to assist athletes in the wake of the suspension of major sporting events around the world.”