More cash rewards for Eaglets

After getting increased match bonuses for winning the 2013 U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, the Golden Eaglets will further receive cash rewards from President Goodluck Jonathan when he hosts them in Abuja on Sunday (today).

The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, and top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are expected to lead the team to the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa for the grand reception.

Jonathan, who received the news of the Eaglets’ victory while on a two-day trip to Guinea-Bissau and Gambia, will lead other members of the Federal Executive Council to receive the players.

Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that apart from the traditional presidential handshakes and photo session with the President, each player will likely go home with N1m, while the coach is expected to get N2m.

Each player in the team had received N500,000 for finishing second in the African U-17 football tournament in May, while the coach got N1m for his efforts.

The President had said, “In recognition of your performance, we are giving you a token cash appreciation. It is a token because you are young people and we don’t want to spoil you.

The players were paid an increased bonus of $7,000 each for emerging victorious in the final, adding to the $4,000 they received for defeating Sweden in the semi-final.

Each member of the team had received $500 for the three group games, while $1,000 was handed out for the second round victory over Iran.

The players had also received $2,000 instead of the pre-arranged sum of $1,000 for beating Uruguay in the quarter-final.