Why I rejected my bonus – Under 20 star, Courtney Dike

Nigeria’s U-20 Women National Team star, Courtney Dike, has explained why she rejected the $7, 000 bonus given to her for her role in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.

The Oklahoma State University student said in a mail addressed to the spokesperson of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ademola Olajire, that while she is delighted to play for Nigeria, collecting prize money would have violated the terms of her sponspor, the United States’ National Collegiate Athletics Association, NCAA.

“I would like to respond to what I have been reading on the internet about rejecting bonuses,” she said.

“I am delighted to play for Nigeria whenever called upon. I knew before leaving for the U-20 World Cup that I would not accept any bonuses. Acceptance of prize money is against NCAA regulations (the division 1 collegiate governing body) here in the US, so that is the main reason for rejecting it.”

She explained that the experience is worth more than the pay.
“Knowing this beforehand, I still chose to represent the country because I believed the experience would be more valuable than the money, and I was right,” she said.

Courtney Dike is the younger sister to Super Eagles player Bright Dike both based in the United States.