“It’s Insulting”: Olympic Medalist Berates Eguavoen for Comparing Footballers to Soldiers
- An Olympic gold medallist has berated former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen for comparing footballers with soldiers
- The former Nigerian Olympic Committee board member's comment follows suggestions by Eguavoen that Peter Rufai deserves a national burial by the Federal Government
- Rufai passed away in the early hours of July 3 at a Lagos hospital after a prolonged battle with illness
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An International Olympic Committee facilitator has disagreed with Super Eagles legend, comparing football players with active soldiers.
A cross-section of ex-internationals advocate for the Federal Government to handle the burial ceremony of late Peter Rufai.
Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai was buried after a mass at the Catholic Church of Visitation in Lagos State on Friday morning, August 22.
Rufai died at 61 after a prolonged illness, and left football fans in tears as tributes poured in for him, per This Day.
Source: Getty Images
There are claims that the Lagos State Government donated N15 million to support the burial rite, while the family of the Stationery Stores legend confirmed the N3 million donation by the Nigeria Football Federation, per Punch.
Nigeria owes no sportsman any favour - Udo-Obong
Olympic gold medallist Enefiok Udo-Obong said sportsmen and women owe the country a great deal for the opportunity provided.
In a Facebook post, the Olympic bronze medallist stated that while soldiers risk their lives for the country, Super Eagles players and other sportsmen live lives of luxury. He said:
"It is insulting for Austin Eguavoen to compare playing in the Super Eagles or any sportsman with a soldier. One lives a life of luxury and privilege and the other lays down his life and privileges so that all can enjoy a life of privilege.
"The nation owes no sportsman any favour. On the contrary, we owe the country for the opportunity and platform they have given us to flourish our talents and to live a life envious to the majority.
"All we deserve from the country and its leaders is RESPECT and RECOGNITION for our hard work."
Source: Getty Images
Mixed reactions trail Udo-Obong's comment
Multiple African Games Table Tennis Champion, Funke Oshonaike, said football players (Super Eagles and Super Falcons) are the only teams that have such opportunities.
The Multiple National champion explained that the legends of other sports in Nigeria need better welfare. The 7-time Olympian Funke Oshonaike said:
I agree with you Ĵust Enee, concerning the footballers and some that are privileged to make lots of money while competing and lifting the name of Nigerian high in the world while competing, but not all athletes are footballers that were rewarded monetarily wise, land, houses are properties.
"All fingers are not equal. Some of our legends/heroes need better welfare and need to be treated better."
Others react
Former National 400m champion Abdulrahman Afeez wrote:
"Well said, but still can't agree with the statement that said the country owes no sportsman anything, we give our lives, spent a lot to gain the opportunity of given any platform, the sweat, the blood, the country needs to do more than just recognition."
Miebi Senge added:
"Thanks, Enee, for your forthrightness. I could forgive Taribo West, knowing his background before football brought him to the limelight, but for Eguavoen, who has enjoyed all the perks at the Football House to condescend this low is terrible."
Deinma Afiesimama added:
"I wonder when Super Eagles players complain and claim the government rejected them , when we know for sure it's manly footballers that have been pampered over the years, what about athletes like us who sacrificed our life's literally and got little or nothing in return, wetin we go do."
Amokachi names amount Abacha gave Super Eagles players
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Nigerian international Daniel Amokachi once revealed the amount each Super Eagles player received for pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996.
Amokachi admitted that each Super Eagles player was paid the sum of $20,000 as compensation for withdrawing from the competition.
Source: Legit.ng
