Japanese Surgeon, Takasu presenting the team with cheques after the game against Honduras

Japanese surgeon, Dr Katsuya Takasu has fulfilled his promise by rewarding Nigeria’s Dream Team with the sum of $390,000 for winning Bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

It was something that caught the eye and attention of the Nigerian football community as Takasu had to personally travel to Belo Horizonte to hand the money to the players after their game against Honduras on Saturday.

The Dream Team survived a late scare to beat Honduras 3-2 which saw them secure Nigeria’s only medal at the Olympics.

Takasu handed cheques to the Dream team after the game, as they each got $10,000 which amounted to a total of $190,000 for coach Samson Siasia and the 18 players on the team.

There’s an additional $200,000 which covers for all other expenses, bonuses and allowances inclusive.

Prior to the Olympics, the Dream Team got worldwide attention and international media coverage following the ordeal they went through to get to Brazil. They had to fly to Manaus from Atlanta hours before their first match and got there six hours before taking to the field incidentally against Takasu’s Japan.

Takasu is not the first foreigner associating with the side since their travails to get to Brazil. Delta Airlines even claimed that they came to the rescue of Dream Team and flew them for free to Brazil.

Who knows whether more individuals or organisations would cling to the team when they get back, especially as they are the only Nigeria side to have won a medal.

 

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Athletics coverage was a discovery, having to move away from regularly writing about Football. Although it was initially daunting, but now being an authority in it makes the past effort worthwhile. From travelling on the same international flight with Nigerian athletes, to knowing you could easily interview: World Record holder Tobi Amusan, then Ese Brume, I have cut my teeth in this beat earning the trust of Athletics sources. Formerly the Content Manager-Sports at Ringier media Nigeria, Chris is a Senior Sports writer, Photographer & Community manager at Making of Champions.

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