Rio, August 22, 2016 – A Japanese surgeon, Katsuya Takasu on Saturday presented cheque in the sum of $390,000 to the Nigerian Olympic football team in Brazil after claiming the bronze medal, which happens to be Nigeria’s only medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Katsuya Takasu had promised to reward the Nigerian team which practically borrowed to represent the country at the Rio Olympics. They team also had flight delay in Atlanta, before Delta Airlines came to their rescue.
He had wanted to present the money earlier but was put off by the Nigerian delegation to enable the team focus on the task ahead.
Katsuya Takasu presented cheques of $200,000 and $190,000 to coach Samson Siasia and captain John Mikel Obi respectively on behalf of the team, shortly after the Coach Samson boys defeated Honduras 3-2 to pick the bronze at the Olympics.
“The $200,000 covers the bonuses and allowances as promised and the $190,000 is for the bronze medal. I had travelled from Tokyo prepared to reward them anyway, and to watch them win the bronze inside the stadium was very fulfilling,” he told BBC.
“This team showed resilience and fought the hardest to achieve success, despite all their problems – some people would have given up but they didn’t,” said Takasu.
“In everything we must always let people understand that they are appreciated and not just in football but generally in life.”
“We can’t thank doctor Takasu enough because what he has done is amazing and unbelievable, we didn’t see this coming when we set out for the Olympics. It’s not just about the money. You can’t equate his gesture in figures or words, to find a big supporter far away in Japan travel down here to cheer and back us is unbelievable.
“I can only say a big thank you on behalf of my team and country, we pray God continue to bless him abundantly,” Siasia told BBC.
