Reparation for Nigerian athletes – Going to the civil court

I am giving this matter very serious thought again. There have been massive reactions to my editorial last weekend titled ‘the plight of retired sports heroes’ published and read in various media.

I am motivated to head to the civil courts now, as a follow up. This will sustain public attention and, probably, compel the Federal Government that will be the defendant in the matter to take the case more seriously. Once and for all, going to court will also put a seal on the matter that will be seeking judgment on the federal and State governments’ culpability or not, in responsibility for the lives of young men and women that represent their state and country for several years, don’t know at the time the long-term consequences of their activities, and are forced to pay the price of this ignorance, at the end of their short careers in sports and carry the burden for the rest of their lives.

The court would declare, in this particular circumstance, the status of ‘ignorance’. Whether or not, in serving their country the ignorance of not knowing the health, financial, mental and emotional consequences of doing so, can be held against them and used to deny them some ‘compensation’ when the challenges begin to rear their heads. Do such persons have the right to seek statutory support, care, reparation and responsibility of the governments through law?

What time and the evidences before all Nigerians now reveal is the history and story of a sad and staggering number of this ‘special’ group of Nigerians that come down with debilitating illnesses that can be linked to the demands of sports at a high level whilst serving their country in sports, with many of them dying at young ages.

The dots between sport and death can be connected. They are called ‘neglect’. Many retired sports heroes are suffering health issues directly relatable to the grinding physical, mental and even intellectual activities they engage in whilst representing their States and country.

Should concrete and definitive welfare packages be done for them? Do they deserve government’s statutory involvement? Who gives up, for ‘nothing’, between 10 to 15 years of their most productive years through grueling physical and mental activities that damage the human anatomy?

It is true that in many other sectors, are persons that also work for the federal and State governments for even longer periods and suffer in their old ages. But do they NOT get compensated through some cushions of care after retirement? Civil servants, the military, even legislators and so on, all get token packages in pensions, gratuities, welfare and so on till they die. If that is correct, why should the case of retired sports persons not become a part of that ‘planet’ that needs governments’ attention. Particularly, also, when the sector actually is a major economic contributor, unites the country like no other, provides unbridled happiness for the people, and is the biggest positive advertisement for the country?

Why must this matter not be of major interest and deserve the institution of a simple panel of enquiry, an inquest, a scientific, medical and even legal study? Why not?

A litigation will actually stir up something, create ripples across the entire spectrum of sports, compel and enforce action once and for all. That’s why going to court now is an important step and is seriously been considered by me on behalf of all retired sports heroes!

Several years ago, I discussed this same matter with my friend, social, political and legal activist, late Fred Agbaje. He was excited about the prospect and the storm such an action will create not only in the legal field but also in public.

We went far in researching and planning for taking the federal government to the civil courts, engaging medical expertise, and using data and physical evidence to prove our points and hope to compel the Federal and State governments to take some responsibility for the plight of retired sports heroes and do something about it.

Unfortunately, Fred died and the fire to go on was temporarily quenched.

Since then, things have even become worse. More deaths and ill health can be traced directly to the consequences of intensive physical, mental and even spiritual activities of high-level sports leading to ill-health in the latter part of life and to ‘premature’ death as we now evidently can see in data and statistics.

Accepting the reality of this situation is hard, but is a compelling reason why the federal government should Immediately set up a panel of experts in law, science and medicine to examine the issues thoroughly.

There ought to be laws that will enshrine the welfare of retired international athletes that meet certain requirements in the constitution of the country.

There is a law compelling minimum education access for all children. Its implementation may be faulty but the law exists and can be used at any time to enforce implementation. That’s what sport needs too.

Too many Nigerian retired sports heroes are suffering and dying at a young age.

The evidences are all around us.

My thought now is to take the matter to the law courts, and probably as new bills to the State and National Assemblies. We can also directly go to the presidency, so that our motives can be fully understood and something done as soon as possible!

No one should be surprised when, very soon, it is reported that my colleagues and I are heading to a civil court, and without any malicious intention, are seeking justice for all retired Nigerian sports heroes suffering from neglect, ill-health, poverty, and ‘early’ death after serving their country and States.
Chief Olalekan Salami and I

A gentleman greeted me at a party in Ibadan last week. He has been a regular of everything I write and publish since my Ibadan days as a football player. Then he shocked me with a question: why have NEVER written about Chief Olalekan Salami and my relationship with him.

Can it be true?
I have kept a regular newspaper column since I was an active football player in 1978.

His question was, indeed, a great shock.

Chief Lekan Salami was actually at the foundation of my rise in football in Ibadan where my story all started. He actually convinced me to join Shooting Stars FC.

He was a mentor and a very big influence in my life during my playing career. He bought me my first car, sold me the first land I owned in Ibadan. It was at his party in his house that I met Chief Ebenezer Obey for the first time, and our relationship that night may have precipitated the song he sang in my praise that has remained evergreen till this day.

Chief Lekan Salami played a big role in my football career, probably more than anybody else in my life. So, why have I not written anything about him?

I have been thinking and searching through my mind for the answer.
One thing is sure, in my autobiography when I eventually get to write one, Chief Lekan Salami and our relationship will occupy a whole chapter.

He convinced me to join Shooting Stars FC. He helped me to buy my first car and sold me the first plot of land I ever owned. He stopped me from heading to a South American country when I was sought to play professionally there. He hid the letter of request from me and only told me years later.

We were close throughout my football career, only to fall apart when I chose to retire from my position as Manager of Shootings Stars FC after only one year on the job I was not cut out for.

When John Mastoroudes wanted to initiate a professional career for me with Panathinaikos FC in Greece, I learned later that Chief warned him to stay away.

When I was to go for trials at Tottenham Hotspurs in London, Chief Salami supported Chief Kudjo Alakija, the Team Manager of the Green Eagles at the time, MD of Mandilas Motors, to make the connections and provided my ticket to London. What happened when I arrived London is a story that I shall share in my autobiography.

Of course, Chief Lekan Salami, was the spirit behind Shooting Stars FC, its history and achievements. Through the greatest period of the club’s achievements we were together.

Thinking about it all now, indeed, it is shocking to realize he has not featured much in my writings in football.

The only assurance I can give the gentleman that met me and stairs the dust, is that, with the Grace of the Creator of the Universe upon my life, I am already embarking on my next book, and Chief Olalekan Salami’s story will be a feature.