• Each player gets N2m, Coach N3m, National Honours
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday announced a cash gift of N2m each for players of the Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, who won the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Soccer Championship last Friday.
At a grand reception held for the victorious team at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Jonathan also said the players, their handlers and key members of the of the Nigerian Supporters' Club would also be honoured with national honours during the next award ceremony.
The President also announced a N3m cash gift to the team's Head Coach while the Assistant Coaches get N2.5m each.
The medical team including the doctor, physiotherapist and team secretary get N500,000 each while the team technical officer, team coordinator, medical officers and the curator will get N300,000 each.
Jonathan called on state governments and members of the Organised Private Sector to join the Federal Government in appreciating the victorious players, stressing that no amount of reward could be adequate for the young Nigerians.
The President stated that the Golden Eaglets have brought great pride and honour to Nigeria and Africa with their performance at the competition.
Jonathan said that if the nation can conquer the world at Under-17 level, there is no reason why the nation cannot win at all levels.
"If we can conquer the world at Under 17, there is no reason we cannot win at the senior level. Their talents must be harnessed to a greater success. They must not rest on their oars. They must remain world champions from category to category," the President said.
Earlier, the Minister of Sports, Mobolaji Abdullahi attributed the successes recorded in sports, particularly football to the administration's transformation agenda.
He said the team players were selected strictly on merit and the idea was to build a solid football team.
In attendance at the event were Senate President David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur; Governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Idris Wada (Kogi), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Kano State Deputy Governor, Umar Ghanduje.