By Fidelis Ebu
Murmuring national under-20 women squad, Falconets had cause to smile yesterday after they were showered with N20m bonus by Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria, Jimoh Ibrahim.

SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT......Falconets players observes proceedings during the reception held in their honour by the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan. The players were yesterday given N20m by business magnate, Jimoh Ibrahim, in appreciation of their feat at the 2010 Women’s U-20 World Cup in Germany.

The FIFA Under-20 Women World Cup silver medalists were gloomed faced during a reception by the Government, where they were awarded scholarships to further their education. But some of the girls wanted money.

But Mr. Ibrahim brought back smiles to their faces by donating the sum to the team and their coaches for breaking a six year jinx and playing in the final of the Fifa Under_20 Women World Cup.

“Your determination and fighting spirit earned you the silver medal. It was the first ever achieved by an African country.

“After you have defeated the United States of America, the defending champions, I was convinced that you would go far in the tournament. And you eventually played in the final”,he said

After presenting the N20m gift to the players he described as a ‘token’, Ibrahim called on other well_meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to salute the players’ achievement by emulating his gesture.