SPRF can earn Nigeria 10 Olympic gold medals — Ezeokoli

Ifeanyi Ezeokoli, Managing Director of Incel Tourism Group, believes that Team Nigeria can win up to ten gold medals at the Olympic Games once the Sports Performance Fund is fully operational.

Ezeokoli, a fitness buff and passionate sports lover, made the statement while hosting SPRF representatives at his Ikoyi, Lagos office over the weekend.

"I was in my hometown lately and saw some young men competing with weights made of cast concrete, and I figured with my gym knowledge, I could compete. What I tried to raise, they lifted like a notebook. They were battling for bragging rights, and I sensed a bet. "I believe that once they learn about the SPRF rewards, they will take it to the Olympic level," he stated.

The SPRF board of trustees was represented by President Musa Ahmadu-Kida, Vice President Odein Ajumogobia, and Executive Secretary Godwin Kienka.

"We have no doubt that this initiative will attract massive private sector involvement in Nigeria's sports development and inspire our youths to excel at the world stage," she said.

Ezeokoli then made a hefty "on the spot" payment to the fund, which he asked not be made public. However, Ajumogobia, a former Minister of Petroleum and subsequently Foreign Affairs, reminded his host that, in accordance with SPRF policy, all donations will be shown on the website for all stakeholders to see, but those with privacy demands will be marked anonymously.

The SPRF intends to raise an initial N10 billion, which will be warehoused for generations of Nigerian athletic youngsters and used solely for that purpose. The Olympic gold medalist will receive N10 million, the silver medalist N7.5 million, and the bronze medalist N5 million.

Commonwealth gold, silver, and bronze medal winners will get N5 million, N3 million, and N2 million, respectively, whereas African Games and major global championship winners would receive N3 million for gold, N2 million for silver, and N1 million for bronze.