Buhari rewards Eaglets 31 years after World Cup triumph

It was a pleasant surprise at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday as President Muhammadu Buhari rewarded members of the victorious national U-17 team which won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in China in 1985.

Each of the players got a cash reward of N2 million while the coaches became N1.5 million richer.

General Buhari as Head of State had promised to host the team when they won the trophy in 1985 but was overthrown before he could redeem the pledge. Subsequent administrations thereafter failed to honor them.

Also rewarded were team members of the National U-17 team that won the 2015 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Chile.

The players got a cash reward of N1.2 million each while Chief Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke was given N900,000. The assistant coaches got N600,000 each.

Samson Siasia's national U-23 team which won the African U-23 Nations Cup last year was not left out as each team member was given a cash reward of N500,000.

Buhari also honored members of the national basketball team, D’ Tigers which won the Afro Basketball championship in Tunisia. They were blessed N600,000 each.

The president did not leave out
members of the silver winning FIBA U-16 Women Championship in Madagascar as they were given N400,000 each.

Also part of the national appreciation were Willington Jighere, champion of the World English Language Scrabble Championship in Australia and Olarenwaju Durodola who won the WBC Cruiser Weight Title. Willington was given N1.5 million naira while his coach was got N1.2 million.

Also honored with cash rewards were the contingents to the 2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship in Kazakhstan and the 2015 World Wrestling Championship.

President Buhari thanked the athletes and their coaches for doing the country proud.

“Nigerian athletes, despite prevailing challenges, have always proven to the rest of the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable.

“On behalf of all Nigerians, I wish to specially express my appreciation and indeed that of the nation to our athletes and officials for the consistency, determination,willpower and penchant for success being witnessed in the sports sector in recent times. I urge the managers of this sector to keep up the momentum,” he said.