Japanese surgeon gives Nigeria Under-23 team $390,000 for winning Olympic bronze

A Japanese surgeon, billionaire Katsuya Takasu gave the Nigeria Olympic football team, Dream Team VI, cash rewards for winning a #bronze medal for Nigeria having defeated Honduras 3-2.

The plastic surgeon made a pledge, totaling $390,000.


Earlier on Saturday, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper and football analyst, Peterside Idah, had raised the alarm that Nigeria Football Federation officials had hijacked the donation made by the Japanese doctor.

The NFF denied the allegation.

Mr.Idah later confirmed that Mr. Takasu had made the donation directly to the beneficiaries at their hotel.

“All is well,” Mr Idah tweeted. “Two cheques have just been handed over to the team. One in Samson Siasia’s name, and the other made out to the name of Mikel.”

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 Nigeria U-23 have hugged the headlines on and off the pitch as they braved all odds to make a podium finish at the Olympics.

Continually referred to as ‘miracle workers’ by their coach, the Dream Team VI surprised many with their performance in the face of daunting challenges which included arriving barely hours to their first match in Rio.

The 3-2 win over Honduras on Saturday ensured that Nigeria won its first medal since after the Beijing 2008 Olympics.