Katsuya Takasu has also promised each player a $30,000 (£23,000)
bonus if they win gold, dropping to $20,000 (£15,350) for silver and
$10,000 (£7,680) for bronze.
I hope to see them win gold,” he told
the BBC. “They've sacrificed a lot to get to Brazil and reach the
semi-finals. Humans with such a strong spirit should be encouraged to
perform beyond their own imagination."
And Takasu revealed that this is not the first time he has donated money to a sporting cause.
"I've made previous donations to a Japanese hockey team and
other notable causes in the past but this right now with Nigeria is
incredibly passionate for me.
"I am deeply determined to motivate this indomitable and strong
Nigerian team. I don't want to distract them but to push them further to
their target - the gold in Brazil.”
Nigeria’s players boycotted a training session ahead of their quarter-final win over Denmark due to a row over pay.
This news prompted Takasu to step in, with the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) insisting they will not get carried away.
"I have been in direct contact with Mr Takasu and impressed by his gesture," said NFF vice-president Seyi Akinwunmi.
"But we need not get carried away because the integrity of the country is at stake.
"First we must check about this. Significantly, the team has an important game and we need to focus on that."(eurosport)
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