Sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare has been honoured by the Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan few minutes ago in Asaba, Delta State.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Okagbare, who won Silver and Bronze medals in the long jump and the 200 metres respectively at the 14^th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow last month, was named Delta State Youths Ambassador.

Also, the governor announced a cash reward of N2.5 million to the athlete and an annual $120,000 training grant to her for the next three years, in preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The governor also announced that the state government would reward the athlete with parcels of land in Asaba, the state capital.

Furthermore, both coach Daniel Esebiminor, who discovered Okagbare and Gabriel Okon, the athlete’s coach at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) got cash rewards of N2 million each, while $20,000 reward was announced for John Smith, her international coach.

Speaking during the reception organized to honour the athlete, Governor Uduaghan tasked the state’s Sports Commission to intensify efforts and identify at least three athletes, to be trained for the 2016 Olympics. He also thanked President Jonathan for honouring the athlete, and commended the AFN, the state Sports Commission and all others, for their roles in bringing her to the limelight and international recognition.

Also at the event, Chief Solomon Ogba, President, AFN, praised the role of Governor Uduaghan in developing sports in the state.

 “When you took over Okagbare, the story of her life changed. For 14 years, Nigeria never won anything at such championships.

“The laurels won by Okagbare have today put Nigeria in the 19th position on the medals table in the world,’’ he said.

While responding to all the honour, Blessing Okagbare, who shed tears of joy while reading her address, thanked the governor and those that helped her to success.

She appealed to the Federal and State Governments to make more efforts toward developing facilities for the training of athletes in the country.

Earlier in the week, President Goodluck Ebere Jonathan announced cash rewards of N3 million for the athlete, while his coach, Esebiminor got N3.5 million, and both would be conferred with national honours at the end of the year.