A group of ex-internationals, led by Etim Esin, a former Nigeria midfielder, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest round the National Stadium, Lagos, against “the plight’ of most ex-players in the country.
The ex-internationals, who were also supported by some present and upcoming players, said they were aggrieved with recent sudden deaths ravaging them.
Esin told newsmen that ex-internationals who had served the country were not doing well after their many years of service to their fatherland.
“We are not doing well and something has to change, many of us are living in penury and dying one after the other.
“We lost Rashidi Yekini, Okey Isima not too long ago, and now Thompson Oliha, who knows who is next?
“This does not go a long way to encourage many upcoming players to give their best to their fatherland when they see what their seniors are going through,’’ Esin said.
He said that before Oliha’s death, he had approached the chairman of Akwa-Ibom State Football for help, but the man claimed he did not know who was Oliha.
“It is sad that each one of us is facing difficult times, most especially being neglected by our state football associations and sports directors.
“We are capable of doing many things and not necessarily becoming coaches like others who have taken that path.
“My regrets are that my colleagues are dying in penury without benefiting from all what the Federal Government promised us in our active days, such as the houses,’’ Esin said.
Another ex-international, Harrison Jala, who played for Sharks of Port-Harcourt in the 80’s, said that there has to be a comprehensive welfare programme for Nigeria’s ex-internationals.
“We want to be part of the grants and allocations from governments and appropriation from the world football body, FIFA.
“If there can be a 10 per cent allocation for the ex-internationals, it can go a long way to touch many lives and affect them positively.
“We shall mobilise 5,000 old and new players to the Glass House in Abuja to protest against the neglect of players by the Nigerian Football Federations.
“We want our basic rights— which are the agreements which have not been fulfilled by the leadership of the football house.