Golden Eaglets: Presidency Rejects Huge Cash Gifts For Cadet World Champions

Hopes of getting fat rewards and cash by the conquering Golden Eaglets has been cut short according to news coming from the presidency. Some sports analysts have raised their voices against huge gifts for the players saying that players from other parts of the world are rewarded with scholarships and developmental programs at this age level.

A reward package proposed by the sports ministry for Nigeria’s team to the recent FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile has been rejected by the country’s government as “too outrageous”, sources at the Presidency have revealed.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has sounded it loud and clear the country’s coffers are hugely depleted and as such it cannot afford unnecessary expenditure.


The Golden Eaglets received cash gifts as well as national honours when they clinched a record fourth World Cup two years ago in Abu Dhabi.

But the team who retained this championship in November may not be that lucky.

“The proposal sent to the presidency on what should be given by government as reward to the Eaglets following their victory in Chile has been rejected. Government said it does not reflect the current economic realities,” a source simply informed.

It was earlier reported that the team will be feted by President Buhari on November 29 at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, but that did not come to pass.