Japanese Surgeon Redeems Promise, Hands Dream Team $390,000 Cheque
Japanese Surgeon Katsuya Takasu has rewarded the Nigeria U-23 team at the Rio Olympics with a sum of $390,000.
Mr. Takasu had had promised to reward the team after hearing about their financial difficulties before and during the tournament.
He handed the sum to the team in their hotel shortly after the West Africans defeated Honduras 3-2 to win bronze at the Rio Olympic Games at Belo Horizonte on Saturday
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The surgeon presented cheques of $200,000 and $190,000 to coach Samson Siasia and captain John Mikel Obi respectively on behalf of the team.
“The $200,000 covers the bonuses and allowances as promised and the $190,000 is for the bronze medal,” Takasu told BBC Sport.
“I had travelled from Tokyo prepared to reward them anyway, and to watch them win the bronze inside the stadium was very fulfilling,” he added.
The Dream Team made headlines after arriving the Olympic Games few hours before their first game against Japan in Manaus.
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In an earlier interview, Mr. Takasu said he made the donation to the players after hearing about their financial crisis.
“I read about the financial problems affecting the team and I felt the need to make a big contribution,” Mr. Takasu told the BBC earlier this week.
The players defied all odds despite their challenges went on to win the bronze medal in the men’s football event – to ensure that Nigeria appears on the medals list at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
