President Muhammadu Buhari has finally fulfilled his promise to Nigerian footballers, the Golden Eaglets who won the country’s first FIFA trophy in 1985 in Japan.
At a ceremony in Aso Villa today, Buhari announced a ‘token’ reward of N2million each to the players and N1.5 million each for their coaches. The Golden Eaglets had won the trophy while Buhari was Nigeria’s military ruler, but a few weeks after he received the trophy, his government was toppled by General Ibrahim Babangida, who failed to deliver the gift to the players.
One of the footballers Kingsley Aikhionbare who died in London, in 1996 was not left out. His family would collect his money, Buhari said.
The 1985 Eaglets were not the only sportsmen rewarded today.
Nigeria’s FIFA Under-17 male champions in Chile were also appreciated with rewards of N1.2million each, while their head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke got N900,000. Assistant coaches got N600,000 each.
Nigeria’s world English language scrabble champion also got N1.5million.
Please read the full awards here: Buhari’s full speech at the awards for sportsmen and women