The Imo State sports commissioner Rodney
Ajaelu has explained why Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist
Lauritta Onye was not among athletes rewarded by the state last week.
Governor Rochas Okorocha gave N1m and
car gifts to three powerlifters from the state namely Roland Ezeruike,
Ndidi Nwosu and Josephine Orji, who all won gold medals in Rio.
Onye, a native of Amaimo in Ikeduru
Local Government Area of Imo State, lamented her exclusion, despite
winning gold and setting a new world record in the women’s shot put
event of the Games.
“I’m from Imo State but I don’t know why
this is happening. I told one of the Imo coaches to add me on the list
because it’s my state but he refused, saying I’m not resident in Imo.
They said the reward was only for those who work with Imo State,” Onye
said.
