Reading IELTS question

Since boyhood Shirase had dreamed of becoming a polar explorer. Like Amundsen, he initially set his sights on the North Pole. But after the American Hobert Peary claimed to have reached it in 18O8, both men hastily altered their plans. lnstead they would aim for the last big prize: the South Pole. In January 1910, Shirase put his plans before Japanese government: officials, promising to raise the flag at the South Pole within three years. For many of them, the question wasn't could he do it but why would it be worth doing? 15 years earlier the International geographical Congress had said that as the last unknown continent the Antarctic offered the chance to add to knowledge ín almost every branch of science.

Does the following statement agree with the information in Reading Passage 1? Answer using True, False or Not Given

1. Some Japanese officials thought Shirase's intention to travel to the South Pole was pointless

I think the statement is False, because "For many of them, the question wasn't could he do it but why would it be worth doing" contradicts with "Some Japanese officials thought Shirase's intention to travel to the South Pole was pointless" for numerical reason.

Could you give me the correct answer to this question, explanation would be appreciated!