From Ejike Chinedu, Lagos
Before now, many soccer followers share a common assumption that female footballers are not particularly beautiful. But with Courtney Dike now in the mix, a lot of minds are being renewed.
This may not be news for a lot of people who will ordinarily wave off a conversation on physical appearance as mundane and carnal. But her recent act of nationalism sets the young Courtney aside on a different pedestal.
She rejected a $7,000 allowance from the Nigeria Football Federation for participating in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup held in Canada. In her words, “The opportunity to play for the Falconets is way better than any monetary gift I can receive.”
NFF’s Director of Competition, Sanusi Mohammed, who disclosed this while expressing his shock said, “When we called her Mother to confirm the delivery of the allowances, she declined it and insisted the opportunity to serve Nigeria was all the reward the family needed.”
Courtney, younger sister to Super Eagles’ Bright Dike did not just participate in the U-20 world cup but scored the fastest goal in the history of the competition in 17 seconds of the match between the Falconets and their South Korean counterpart.
Head of Nigerian women league board, Dilichukwu Onyedinma has said the young lady deserves to be honoured.
“She is a star and patriotic Nigerian who put service to fatherland above money. The minister is aware and we will push the act before the NFF so it can inspire many others.” Onyedinma said
