Super Falcons forward, Courtney Dike, made history last week when she rejected the $7,000 (about N1.7 million) paid to her by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for playing at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada. According to her, receiving the money was not necessary because representing the country is enough reward for her and her family. For that, encomia have been pouring on her laps. Correspondent, AYO BADA, reports.
The Oklahoma Star football team player is not just a bundle of skills; she is patriotism on all fours. She scored the fastest goal in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when she struck against South Korea in Canada in August. She also got the curtain-raiser in the Falconets’ victory over North Korea in the semi-final.
Dike has since graduated into the Super Falcons.
For encouraging the young woman to reject what many others would kill for, Editor of ThisDay Newspapers, Duro Ikhazuagbe, proposes a national honour for her family.
He said: “It is a high level of patriotism that the family has exhibited when our Super Eagles players are fighting for increase in bonuses for matches they could not even win. Here is a little girl who has shown that it is country first before any other thing. The family deserves a national honour.”
Chairman of Lagos Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Fred Edoreh, said: “In the face of it, it is a patriotic act and should be encouraged. It should not be money, money all the time. She is from the United States and by the time she starts to receive money for services, she will be categorised as a professional. She can earn scholarship. I think the bottom line is for the federal government to encourage her and her family.”
Gowon Akpodnor, who was in Namibia when Dike and co won the African Women Championship (AWC) in October, said: “I have not really gotten the full details that she turned down the money for honouring the country, but it is okay.
“If you look at her background, somebody in United States can do that; but not somebody residing in Nigeria. It is good for the image of the country, but that does not mean that the federal government should not take care of the team or female football in general in the country. Her action was commendable and we must all say that with all sense of responsibility.”
Managing Partner of Youdees Sports Consultant, Harry Iwuala, said: “There is nothing bad about paying for services rendered; even the President of the country collects salaries. But rejecting the money is not bad rather; she can do something else with it like donating it to a football academy or to charity homes. I think she has taken the honour path and she should be commended for the action.”
SWAN member, Saliu Gbadamosi, said: “She deserves to be honoured more by Nigeria for the action. Simply patriotic! However, we must make sure that the money is duly returned to the government coffers, instead of finding its way into a private pocket or even growing wings outright.”
Sports analyst, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, said: “This is the same country Super Eagles players threatened not to play against France if they were not paid bonuses from anticipated FIFA bonus until the President shipped cartons of dollars to them in Brazil. They should all learn from Dike and know how to put the love of the country at heart first before their selfish interest. She needs to be commended and praised for her singular honour for the country.”
Sports presenter and broadcaster, Deji Omotoyinbo said: “Courtney Dike has done us proud and we must all be proud of her. She deserves a national honour, if our leaders know what is best for the country.
“She also needs to be commended for her action and praises too should go to the family for the good upbringing.”
NFF Head of Competition, Sanusi Mohammed, confirmed that the player rejected the outstanding allowances accrued to her for representing the country at the World Cup.
He said: “When we called her mother to confirm the delivery of the allowances, she declined it and insisted that the opportunity of playing for Nigeria was all the reward the family needed.”
Her elder brother, Bright, featured for Nigeria at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil, but missed the 2014 World Cup by a foot injury which sidelined him for four months.
