Issues regarding athletes funding and provision of adequate sports facilities might become a thing of the past as Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare has announced the creation of a fund to ensure the “consistent welfare” of Nigeria’s athletes and the “provision of befitting sports facilities”.

The Athletes Sustenance Fund (ASF) will address the pressing issues of athletes’ welfare which Dare said will help in “securing the commitment” of Nigerian athletes and enable them to focus on their craft.

The Fund will also help bridge the funding gap which has made the provision and maintenance of sports facilities difficult.

The Minister who is currently in Morocco with Team Nigeria at the 12th African Games revealed his plans through his official Twitter handle on Friday.

“Ensuring the sustenance and securing the commitment of our Athletes will be largely dependent on their consistent welfare and provision of modern sport facilities. To this end, the Ministry intends to create an Athletes Sustenance fund. ASF.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s medallists at the ongoing African Games have started receiving cash rewards from the Ministry for their efforts. Gold Medallists were rewarded with $3,000, Silver medallists received $2,000 while Bronze Medallists were given $1,000.

Nigeria currently occupy second place on the medals table with 103 medals (40 Gold, 28 Silver, 35 Bronze) after Thursday’s round of competition. Egypt lead the standings with a total of 229 medals (79 Gold, 87 Silver, 63 Bronze) while South Africa are in third place with 77 medals (32 Gold, 24 Silver, 21 Bronze).

The competition comes to a close on Saturday, 31 August.