MEMBERS of the victorious team of the maiden edition of the World FIFA U-16 Football in China in 1985 had to wait for 30 long years to realize the largesse announced for them by government as President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday fulfilled the promise he made then.

Buhari was the Military Head of State when the Nduka Ugbade-led team did Nigeria proud in China in 1985. But he was removed in a palace coup before he could fulfill his promise of rewarding the members of the team.

Consequently, each of the players were rewarded with the sum of N2 million, while their coaches were given the sum of N 1.5 million.

The President called for a minute silence in honour of Kingsley Aikhionbare, a member of the victorious 1985 Eaglets who died in London in 1996.

Similarly, members of the 2015 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions were rewarded with the sum of N1.2 million each, their head Ccoach N900,000, assistant coaches N600,000, while the team secretary and medical team were rewarded with N300,000 each and other officials got N200,000.

The members of 2015 CAF Under 23 Cup Of Nations Champions were also rewarded with each of the players going home with N500,000; head cach got N500,000, assistant coaches and other team officials equally got N300,000 each.

Apart from footballers, the President also announced financial rewards for various categories for athletes, who have brought honour and laurels to Nigeria in various international competitions, especially in the last seven months of his assumption of office as president of Nigeria.

They included the 2015 World Wrestling Championship; the 2015 Federation of International Basket Association Male Afro-Basket Champion, D’Tigers, 2015 FIBA Africa Under-16 Female Championships as well as the WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title.

A member of the Nigerian contingent to 2015 World Wrestling Championship, who won Bronze Medal, was rewarded with N1.2 million and the coach got N600,000; the players of the FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball D’Tigers got N600,000 each; ditto their coaches, while the team officials got N250,000 each.

Each players of the 2015 FIBA Africa Under 16 Female Championships, who won Silver medals got N400,000: their Coaches got the same amount, while team officials were rewarded with N150,000.

The players of the 2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship who won gold medalists got N600,000, Silver Medallists got N450,000, their Coaches got N450,000.00, while Team Officials got N250,000

Gold medalists of the World English Language Scrabble Champion got N1.5 million, their Coach got N1.2 million and the team secretary got N450,000. The title holder of the WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title got N1.5 million.

In a speech Buhari praised Nigerian athletes, despite the prevailing have always prove to the rest of the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable and expressed his appreciation and indeed that of the nation to the athletes and officials for the consistency, determination, willpower and penchant for success being witnessed in the sports sector in recent times and I urged the managers of this sector to keep up the momentum.

He assured that the Federal Government of Nigeria would not relent in its efforts to ensure that our sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competitions.

The President made reference to the poor showing of Nigeria in the London Olympics in 2012 and challenged athletes to ensure that they improved on their performances in the forthcoming Olympics Rio 2016.

Buhari said, “I am particularly concerned about our participation at the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games. We must not allow a repetition of the unsavoury experience at the London 2012 Olympics where Nigerian athletes failed to make it to the podium.

“This Administration’s policy of “change” must reflect in the way we do things either as individuals or institutions. We must strive to be prudent in the way we manage our time, financial and material resources to ensure victory at the next Olympics. We must aim for optimal performance at all international competitions.”

Buhari saw the event as very special to him because, “Almighty Allah has, in His infinite mercies and love, kept me alive to this day and granted me the privilege of being able to fulfill my promise in 1985, to reward the winners of the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.

“The reason for the 30 years delay is well known. It is, however, sad to note that a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets is not here with us today. Please join me in observing a one-minute silence in honour of Kingsley Aikhionbare who died in London, in 1996.

“It is a well known fact that so much water has passed under the bridge between 1985 and now. The State governments that were to implement most of the pledges to the players and officials have changed hands so many times under different dispensations and political parties.”

He added, “In line with our belief that the “labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” we will be saying thank you to our 1985 Golden Eaglets’ players and officials by using the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports template for rewarding outstanding athletes.

“As you are all aware, the financial resources of our nation have been dwindling since last year. Hence, what we are offering you today, is not payment or compensation for winning laurels for your country, rather, it is a token of appreciation for your efforts and patriotism while competing for your fatherland.”