Sports
Fans Call For Okwaraji’s Immortalisation
Twenty six years after the
sudden death of ex-international, Samuel Okwaraji, sport enthusiasts this week urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to institute an annual programme in his remembrance.
They said in separate interviews that the late player should be properly immortalised.
Okwaraji slumped in the 77th minute during a World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola played at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, on August 12, 1989 and was later pronounced dead.
The result of an autopsy carried out on his corpse revealed that the 25-year-old player had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure that resulted to congestive heart failure.
A former Super Eagles player, Bright Omokaro, said that it was unfortunate that the memory of the player was fading away from the heart of Nigerians.
Omokaro noted that a sports’ facility should be named after Okwaraji in order to give the present crop of footballers the push to want to represent the country well.
“It is very unfortunate that we lost Okwaraji, 26 years ago and don’t get to hear anything about his contribution to football when he was alive.
“This was a man that played professionally outside the country but travelled to Nigeria at his personal expense to represent the country during which he met his untimely death.
“Twenty six years gone and no single stadium or sporting event was named after him, and we expect the present footballers to be committed when playing for Nigeria,’’ he said.
Another ex-international, Etim Esin, said it was pathetic that nothing had been done to appreciate the family of Okwaraji since his untimely demise.
Esin noted that Okwaraji death was a peculiar case because he died while representing the nation, compared to other ex-football or sports men who have passed on due to old age.
“Rashidi Yekini was celebrated in far-away Portugal when he died but we cannot celebrate a man that died on active duty and 26 years after his death, there is nothing to show for it.
“Many of our colleagues have passed on over the years without anybody knowing about it, I hope things will change for the better,’’ he said.
Also, a former Super Eagles player, Friday Ekpo, told newsmen that a charity match should be played annually in Okwaraji’s honour.
He said that such honour should cut across all sports to remember past heroes who had contributed to the development of football and sports generally in the country.
“A competition or match should be organised in his memory so that generations yet unborn will know that there was once a football legend by the name Sam Okwaraji who played passionately for Nigeria,’’ he said.
The only significant thing in memory of Okwaraji was a bust erected in his honour at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The late midfielder, who had eight appearances for the national side, also played professional football for Dinamo Zagreb FC of old Yugoslavia, VfB Stuttgart FC of Germany and SSV Ulm FC of Germany.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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