NFF And Yekini’s Exit

On May 4, 2012, Nigeria lost one of her
foremost football stars, Rashidi Yekini. He was buried less than 24 hours later
according to Islamic rites in his home town, Ira in Oyun Local Government Area
of Kwara State, without the expected fanfare and presence of national football
authorities.

Yekini, the 1993 African Footballer of the
year and second all-time highest goal scorer of the Africa Cup of Nations was a
star beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa. Scorer of Nigeria’s first World
Cup goal, against Bulgaria at the USA’ 94 World Cup, the gangling Striker
remains the most prolific goal scorer to have donned the Super Eagles shirt. He
scored 37 goals in 58 games.

His effectiveness in front of the goal
earned him the name ‘Ye-king’, Goals Father, among others. Yekini was one of
the early Nigerian footballers to take his career abroad. He played for Africa
Sports in Cote D’Ivoire,  Victoria Setubal
FC in Portugal, Olympiacos FC in Greece, Sporting Gijon in Spain, FC Zurich in
Switzerland, Club Athletique Bizertin
and Al-Shabab of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

In Nigeria, the ex-international laced his
boots for five clubsides, United Nigerian Textiles Ltd FC, Kaduna, Shooting
Stars Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan, Abiola Babes of Abeokuta, Julius Berger FC,
Lagos and Gateway FC of Abeokuta.

Yekini brought so much joy and glory to
football fans and Nigeria. He also contributed in no small measure to the upliftment
of football in the country. The ex-international went through harrowing
experiences before his demise. The undignified state he assumed was least
expected of a man like Yekini who did great things for football.

Worse still, during his burial, apart from
some of his peers, representatives from Kwara, Osun and Oyo States, a
representative of National sports Commission and the Chairman of Ondo State
Football Association, no official of the NFF was at the event.

For a man that contributed so much to football
in Nigeria, Yekini deserved more than he got from the country, especially, its
football governing body. It is on record that before his eventual death, Yekini
needed help but got none. This is not right.

Indeed, the list of notable sports
personalities that are facing difficult times in the country is on the
increase. Many, like Yekini and Atanda Musa died in penury. This development,
we think may not to motivate the younger generation to go into sports.

It is only expected that the NFF would  have maintained contact, not only with
Yekini, but with all those who have served the nation well in sports and
perhaps extend some form of support to those in need.

The abandonment of sports people under
crisis and the disregard for them after active service is not the best for the
country. If Nigeria is to have willing and patriotic citizens to take over from
the aged and ageing athletes, the situation must change.

The Tide believes that the administration
of sports needs to be reviewed. There is need to have a programme or scheme
that is consciously aimed at the welfare of sports people after active service.
The National Sports Commission and NFF must devise a way of reintegrating
retired athletes and giving them opportunities to play some kind of roles for mutual
benefits. More importantly, the system should encourage athletes to combine
their career with quality education and investment in order to avoid the
relapse to poverty.

We join millions of soccer loving people
all over the world to commiserate with the family of Yekini. As the world bid
him farewell, it must not be forgotten that Yekini left behind a record that
must be surpassed. The best way to honour him is for footballers to take the
challenge and break the record.

Just as there has been a deluge of eulogies
and tributes for Rashidi Yekini in death, it is better for stars to be
recognised and celebrated while alive, assisted while in need and immortalised
in death.