Nigeria and Delta State born Sprinter Blessing Okagbare has won the 100meters Gold in the ongoing Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games. Blessing Okagbare became the commonwealth games women 100 meters champion with a new game record of 10.85 secs with Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart taking silver and bronze respectively, while England's Asha Phillip was fourth in a new personal best time of 11.18.
Okagbare went on a lap of honour after the race with Nigeria's flag amid cheers from the enthusiastic crowd. An elated Okagbare, after her heroics told BBC Sport: "I am so excited right now! A new season's best and win. I'm happy I was able to put on a show. I executed it and stayed patient like my coach said I should and after 70 metres it just felt easy! I still have the 200m and the long jump and I'm looking forward to both of those events now". “It feels great to get this far and win. I’m grateful to God. I thank all those behind this success especially our Governor who is here to support us morally after his financial support,” Blessing said.
The ever sports loving Governor of Delta State Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan who incidentally was at the stadium to cheer Okagbare and Team Nigeria up said "It was a great feeling today being at the stadium in Glasgow and watching our own Blessing Okagbare winning the 100m in grand style in the presence of over 80,000 people from all over the world". “It was a deserved victory. She has made Nigeria proud and we are happy about this sweet victory,” Uduaghan said.
Governor Uduaghan who has set the pace with world class facilities in his state, the latest being the World Class Gym he built for Weightlifting reaped the fruits of the gym when almost all the Weightlifting athletes who lifted Nigeria with gold medals came from Delta.
‘’The important thing is that they are serving Nigeria. And I’m happy that they are from my state and all efforts in building these facilities are not in vain”, the amiable Governor said at the Clyde Auditorium where he came to felicitate with Delta Athletes.
The athletes jumped for joy on citing the unassuming Governor who interacted with them and promised to reward them at the end of the Commonwealth Games.
‘’In Delta, we appreciate and reward all our athletes who bring honour to the state.”
You can see the marvelous job they are doing for Nigeria and Delta. It is in our character to welcome them home as heroes and heroines”, the Governor said as the athletes burst into loud celebration.
The Governor’s presence enlivened Team Nigeria as he went round to add his support to many Nigerian athletes who were on duty.
Thereafter, the Governor was presented with a Celtic jersey by Efe Ambrose who plies his trade with Celtic FC of Scotland. Efe is a household name in Scotland and he said that he was honoured presenting his jersey to a Governor who has done well for humanity and for all Deltans.
After the World Championship in Russia last year, Uduaghan approved special training grants for Okagbare. Blessing was so emotional that she shed tears and promised Uduaghan that she would deliver a world title in his honour. She did so yesterday.
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