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.
三点目ナイジェリア❗🙌万歳🙌万歳なう pic.twitter.com/ffYfGrFW4g
— 高須克弥 (@katsuyatakasu) August 20, 2016
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.
ナイジェリアサッカードリームチームの諸君に「イエス高須クリニック❗」ってやらせちゃったぜ(*´∀`)♪ pic.twitter.com/5KwErBW2fB
— 高須克弥 (@katsuyatakasu) August 21, 2016
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.
ミゲルが来たぜなう pic.twitter.com/V81MhP12y0
— 高須克弥 (@katsuyatakasu) August 20, 2016
