Buhari rejects sports ministry's proposal to reward victorious Golden Eaglets with N750,000 each

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has rejected proposals from the sports ministry to increase the reward money paid to members of the victorious Golden Eaglets who recently won the U17 World Cup to N750,000 (£2,500) per player from the N150,000 (£500) he offered them.

 

Last month, the Eaglets won the Fifa U17 World Cup for a record fifth time and became the first Nigerian team ever to retain the trophy. Despite their heroics, President Buhari chose not to splash out cash extravagantly on the players in line with the austere approach of his government.

 

Sports ministry officials had asked the presidency to offer the players N750,000 each but President Buhari rejected the proposal saying the money was too much. Over the coming weeks, President Buhari is expected to host the team at the presidential villa, where they will be presented with their cheques.

 

One sports ministry official said: “The proposal has been reviewed after the first rejection. We wait for the green light from the presidency on the date for the reception and the reward.”

 

Just this week, President Buhari warned that next year will be rough for the country because of the poor economy and has made it clear that there will be drastic cuts in government spending.  It would therefore be seen as double standards if the government now splashes a fortune on the U17 schoolboy stars.