By Amaechi Agbo
Former Green Eagles defender and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations gold medallist Kadiri Ikhana has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to establish a welfare scheme for elderly former Nigerian internationals.
Ikhana wants the government to introduce a monthly allowance for ex-internationals aged 70 and above to cushion the effects of the country’s economic hardship and provide them with greater financial security in their later years.
Speaking to Sports Unlimited, the former CAF Coach of the Year said many retired players were struggling financially, not necessarily because they had been abandoned, but because of the rising cost of living.
“Look at me, like so many of our colleagues, we served the country and won laurels. I’m not saying we didn’t get our due benefits, but at our old age, we should depend on a system that depended on us in our youth,” Ikhana said.
He appealed to NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, as well as the NFF, to present the matter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“My appeal is to the NSC chiefs, Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, and the NFF to take our case to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because I know he likes and listens to them to help us,” he pleaded.
Ikhana also lamented the death of former international Dominic Nwobodo, saying the sacrifices made by many former players were gradually being forgotten.
“Just two days ago, Dominic Nwobodo died and nobody remembers his sacrifice to the country,” he added.
A former Green Eagles player, military officer and successful coach, Ikhana has enjoyed a distinguished career in Nigerian football.
He guided Enyimba to their historic CAF Champions League triumph, becoming the first Nigerian coach to win the continental title with a Nigerian club and earning CAF Coach of the Year honours.
He also coached the Super Falcons to fourth place at the 2012 Africa Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea.
Now running the Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy in Auchi, Edo State, Ikhana believes a structured government-backed welfare programme would ensure that those who served Nigerian football are not left to struggle in their twilight years.
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