By Amaechi Agbo
Late Nasarawa United player, Chineme Martins will be buried on Friday, June 5th.
Chienem Martins slumped and died on March 8 during a Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL Match between Nasarawa United and Katsina United at Laffia City Stadium, Nasasrawa state.
Martin’s death was greeted with condemnation after the ambulance stationed at the stadium could not move and was pushed at the centre of the incident before the governor of the state’s press crew bus came to take the body to hospital.
Nigeria’s sports minister, Sunday Dare, described Martins’ death as “regrettably avoidable” and said the “ministry will immediately work with the NPFL to roll out mandatory conditions before any match is played”.
It is the second time fans in Lafia have witnessed a tragedy. In December 2018, Kano Pillars star Dominic Dukudod collapsed while warming up in a friendly against Nasarawa United themselves.
Questions have previously been raised about the state of medical care and players’ welfare in the NPFL, but Nigeria’s League Management Company says it mandates the clubs to ensure all players present a medical passport – signed and authorised by a certified doctor – declaring them fit to play.
Chineme Martins was a defender and died at 23 years of age.
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