By Akeem Oyetunji President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday rewarded the victorious 1985 Golden Eaglets and officials 30 years after they conquered the World, announcing N2 million for each of the players while the coaches are to collect N1.5 million each.
Buhari, who was then the military Head of State had promised to reward the team after winning the FIFA World U-16 championship in China but could not do so.
A visibly excited President Buhari while hosting athletes and officials who had excelled at various international sporting competitions at the state House Banquet Hall, Abuja, said:
“I wish to remark that today’s event is very special to me because, Almighty Allah has, in His infinite mercies and love, kept me alive to this day and granted me the privilege of being able to fulfill my promise in 1985, to reward the winners of the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
“The reason for the 30 years delay is well known. It is however sad to note that a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets is not here with us today.”
While calling for a minute silence in honour of Kingsley Aikhionbare who died in London, in 1996, Buhari asked his next of kin to collect the money his behalf.
Also, while each of the players that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile will pocket N1.2 million each, the African winning U-23 players will collect N500, 000 each.
The President who also announced cash rewards for other athletes and officials including the victorious U-17 and U-23 that conquered the World and Africa last year in Chile and Senegal respectively, said the Ministry of Youth and Sports template was used in arriving at the amount for the athletes and officials.
He said further, “In line with our belief that the “labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” we will be saying thank you to our 1985 Golden Eaglets’ players and officials by using the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports template for rewarding outstanding athletes.
As you are all aware, the financial resources of our nation have been dwindling since last year. Hence what we are offering you today, is not payment or compensation for winning laurels for your country, rather, it is a token of appreciation for your efforts and patriotism while competing for your fatherland.
In this connection, I have the honour, on behalf of the Government and sports loving Nigerians to announce the following as token of our appreciation to our sports ambassadors:
2015 World Wrestling Championship
Beneficiaries
Wrestler (Bronze Medallists) N1,200,000.00
Coaches N6,000,000.00
FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball Champion, D’Tigers
Beneficiaries
Players (Gold Medallists) N600,000.00
Coaches N600,000.00
Team Officials N250,000.00
2015 FIBA Africa Under 16 Female Championships
Beneficiaries
Players (Silver Medallists) N400,000.00
Coaches N400,000.00
Team Officials N150,000.00
2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship
Beneficiaries
Gold Medallists N600,000.00
Silver Medallists N450,000.00
Coaches N450,000.00
Team Officials N250,000.00
World English Language Scrabble Champion
Beneficiaries
Player (Gold Medallist) N1,500,000.00
Coach N1,200,000.00
Team secretary N450,000.00
WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title
Beneficiary Amount
Winner (Title Holder) N1,500,000.00
2015 CAF Under 23 Cup Of Nations Champions
Beneficiaries
Players (Gold Medallists) N500,000.00
Head Coach N500,000.00
Assistant Coaches N300,000.00
Other Team Officials N300,000.00
2015 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries
Players (Gold Medallists) N1,200,000.00
Head Coach N900,000.00
Assistant Coaches N600,000.00
Team Secretary N300,000.00
Medical Team N300,000.00
Other Officials N200,000.00
1985 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries
Players (Gold Medallists) N2,000,000.00
Coaches N1,500,000.00
