A reward package proposed by the sports ministry for the FIFA U-17 World Cup champions, the Golden Eaglets, recently in Chile has been rejected by the Federal Government as been “too outrageous”, sources at the Presidency have revealed.
The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has sounded it loud and clear that the country’s coffers are hugely depleted and as such it cannot afford unnecessary expenditure, according to African Football.com.
The Golden Eaglets received cash gifts as well as national honours when they clinched a record fourth World Cup two years ago in Abu Dhabi.
But the team who retained this championship in November may not be that lucky.
“The proposal sent to the presidency on what should be given by government as reward to the Eaglets following their victory in Chile has been rejected. Government said it does not reflect the current economic realities,” a source simply informed.
It was earlier reported that the team will be feted by President Buhari on November 29 at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, but that did not come to pass.
