A famous Japanese plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu has
promised a bonus of $30, 000 to each Nigerian player if they win gold at the
Rio 2016 men’s Olympic football tournament in Brazil. He disclosed his desire
to reward the 1996 Olympic football champions, along with $20,000 for silver
and $10,000 for bronze after hearing about their financial woes.
"I read about the financial problems affecting the team
and I felt the need to make a big contribution," Takasu told BBC Sport.
"I am not doing this for media attention but to
motivate a team with an indomitable spirit. I fell in love with the Nigerian
team because despite all these problems they are in the quarter-finals of the
Olympics.
"Whether they win or not, I will still donate something
to help alleviate the challenges in paying their bonuses and allowances."
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were impressed by this
gesture but are being careful.
"I have been in direct contact with Mr Takasu and
impressed by his gesture," NFF vice-president Seyi Akinwunmi told BBC
Sport.
"But we need not get carried away because the integrity
of the country is at stake. First we must check about this. Significantly, the
team has an important game and we need to focus on that."
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