In a bold move aimed at rewarding performance and building a sustainable sports structure, the Enugu State Government has announced that any athlete who wins a medal at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2025, will receive automatic employment as a civil servant.
Speaking exclusively to Prime Sports Radio Enugu and Athletic NG, Comrade Ephraim Ochonma, Director of Coaching at the Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports, said:
“That’s the biggest incentive—it’s not just about giving athletes money. Once you win a medal for Enugu State, you’re employed by the state government. You become a civil servant, continue to compete for the state, and you even have the opportunity to transition into coaching. We are building a structure that ensures we won’t lack athletes or coaches in the future.”
Team Enugu will be represented by 84 athletes and 24 officials, participating in 12 individual sports: Para Powerlifting, Para Athletics, Judo, Badminton, Tennis, Swimming, Athletics, Boxing, and Wrestling. The state will also compete in three team sports: women’s football, men’s basketball, and men’s handball.
While medals remain a priority, the state’s broader vision is centred on talent development and long-term competitiveness.
“This festival is a stage where you identify states that are investing seriously in sports. You’ll see athletes whose names you don’t know now, but in the next edition, they’ll make an impact. That’s why some states are bringing younger talents—for exposure,” Ochonma explained.
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The Director also revealed that the state government provided athletes with funds for nutritional supplements and training. Both elite and up-and-coming athletes received financial support.
“Some of our top athletes were given money for supplements—we know what is expected of them. New athletes were also supported as part of our development plan. But employment is the biggest reward. It provides stability and keeps them in the system.”
Among Enugu’s standout athletes is Johnson Nnamani, a World U20 400m champion and Commonwealth Games competitor. In boxing, Israel Ogbodo will represent the state, while the para-sports division features several elite athletes, including Destiny Agbo (a double champion), Daniel, Ugochukwu, and Goodness.
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In a heartfelt message, Ochonma called on the people of Enugu to support the team:
“I ask Ndi Enugu to pray for us. I’m promising them a better outing. Our previous performance was disastrous due to several factors—some of which we’ve now addressed. We’re in a better position to perform this time, and Ndi Enugu should expect better results.”
He added that this year’s outing would serve as a test run for younger athletes, in preparation for when Enugu hosts the next edition of the festival in 2026:
“We’re going to test-run some athletes now, so that when we host next year, we can talk about not just hosting—but hosting and winning.”
Enugu is preparing to host the National Sports Festival for the first time in 2026, which will also mark the first time the competition is held in the South East since its inception in 1973.
Meanwhile, Gateway Games 2025 in Ogun State is expected to be the largest sports gathering in Nigerian history, with between 12,000 to 15,000 athletes competing across more than 30 sports.
