A Royal Gesture and the Golden Cup Tradition
In a kingdom once ravaged by a terrible drought, rivers ran shallow, wells turned muddy, and farmlands cracked under the relentless sun. One day, a weary traveler arrived at the palace gates, desperate for water and food. Moved by his plight, the king not only offered him a drink but also commanded that he be served in a golden cup and on a golden plate.
This simple act of kindness sparked a chain reaction. Word of the king’s generosity spread, drawing more travelers to the city, not just for water, but for the privilege of drinking from a golden cup. Over time, this gesture became an unspoken rule. The people initially praised the king, but soon they began to expect it. The demand for golden cups grew, and the king found himself bound by his own precedent, going to great lengths to produce more.
President Bola Tinubu may have unknowingly set in motion a similar tradition with his generous rewards for Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, and the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their recent victories.
The story began in late July when the Super Falcons won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. This victory was particularly significant as they came back from two goals down at halftime to defeat Morocco 3–2 in Rabat. Throughout the tournament, the team remained undefeated, with only one draw. Their triumph was celebrated with a grand reception at Aso Rock Villa, where President Tinubu announced national honours, cash rewards of up to N160 million each, and house gifts. While many Nigerians were thrilled, others protested, but all took note of the gesture.
A few months later, in August, the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, clinched their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title in Kigali, Rwanda. With the Falcons’ victory still fresh in the public eye, Nigerians watched closely to see if Tinubu would extend the same recognition to D’Tigress. On Monday, the answer came. Vice President Kashim Shettima and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu welcomed the team to Aso Rock in another grand reception. Each player received national honours, $100,000, and a new house.
In a country often lacking unifying moments, these gestures are seen as efforts to boost the morale of Nigeria’s top athletes and rewrite a legacy of neglect that has plagued sportsmen and women for decades. By rewarding excellence, Tinubu signals that Nigerian athletes, unlike teachers and service personnel, should not always wait for recognition in heaven.
However, by setting such a high bar, the administration may now find itself captive of its own benevolence. It may have inadvertently created a tradition that Nigerians will now expect, even demand. If the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations or the Flying Eagles clinch a World Cup title, the country will look to Aso Rock not just for congratulations, but for the same golden-cup treatment.
The challenge lies in sustainability. Will future leaders continue to celebrate every victorious team? With the reward bar set so high, will future teams be satisfied with a mere handshake and photo op? Or will they view current athletes as lucky to have won during the tenure of a generous president?
Should athletes in other sports—chess, scrabble, badminton, or table tennis—also expect national honours, a house, and the equivalent of $100,000? Will they too be invited to drink from the golden cup when their time comes?
After all, what is good for the Falcons and D’Tigress must be good for triathletes, badminton players, and chess masters as well.