Sports
Nigeria Is Proud Of You, Sports Minister Tells 11 Year Gold Medalist Gymnast
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, received triumphant Gymnastics sensation, Stephanie Onusiriuka in his office.
11- year old Onusiriuka, a beneficiary of the Ministry’s Talent Hunt Programme (THP) recently bagged a Gold medal at the African Junior Gymnastics Championship in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Minister, in his remarks, commended Stephanie, who was accompanied by her mother, Amaka for her steadfastness, even at a young age, stating that her years of putting in the work behind the scene has yielded fruits on the global stage.
“Why Stephanie is so dear to me is that barely two weeks after I became Minister, I was taking a tour of the stadium, I was going through, then I waited there for a while. I was impressed because some gymnasts were practicing and doing some flips, and there was this little girl with her coach really doing impressive stuff. That little girl was Stephanie and her coach Anthony Asuquo. I also saw a woman with a baby, then I asked who she was and was told she is the mother of the little girl practicing. So you see a woman who is really interested in the progress of her daughter and I’m happy it is turning out very well for them.
“Stephanie has since been on our Talent Hunt Programme(THP) and we agreed that we will be giving a flat amount of money as support for them, and that when trips come up, we will have to support estacodes, and sometimes flight tickets amongst others.
Onusiriuka, got a letter of commendation from the Minister, and some financial support which is part of the package for all young athletes on the Ministry’s Talent Hunt Programme.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Splashes Big Prize Money Ahead Of 14 November 2026 Race
Top Three Elite Finishers To Earn $8,000, $6,000 And $5,000 Respectively
The organisers of the highly anticipated PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have announced an attractive prize package for athletes across every category ahead of the race on 14 November 2026 in Abuja.
The prize announcement has been welcomed by athletes and coaches, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the leading road races in Nigeria. The race offers local athletes the chance to compete against international runners in front of a home crowd, while also earning meaningful rewards.
In the elite category, first place earns $8,000, second place takes $6,000, third place gets $5,000, fourth place receives $4,000, fifth place goes home with $3,000, sixth place earns $2,000, seventh place takes $1,000, and eighth place gets $500.
In the Nigerian category, first place earns ₦2,000,000, second place takes ₦1,500,000, third place gets ₦1,000,000, fourth place receives ₦500,000, fifth place goes home with ₦300,000, sixth place earns ₦200,000, seventh place takes ₦100,000, and eighth place gets ₦50,000.
According to the organisers, the prize structure reflects the commitment of PremiumTrust Bank to the growth of athletics in Nigeria and to the encouragement of home based athletes. The separate Nigerian category ensures that local runners are properly recognised and rewarded for their performance.
The half marathon, which covers 21 kilometres, remains an important event for long distance runners. It serves as a test of endurance and preparation, and it provides a competitive platform for athletes building towards major national and international competitions.
The race is expected to draw elite athletes, club runners, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. The turnout is expected to be high, given the interest already shown since registration opened.
Organisers have advised interested runners to register early through the official registration portal of the race to secure their participation, as arrangements are being put in place for timing, security, medical support and traffic management on race day.
The prize money is now confirmed, attention will shift to the athletes as they complete their final weeks of training and preparations ahead of the race day.
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