F ormer President Goodluck Jonathan has advocated for the establishment of a pension fund for retired athletes who have brought honor to Nigeria. He made the call during the groundbreaking ceremony of a 25,000-capacity Olympic stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa, The PUNCH reports.
Speaking at the event, which was part of activities marking Governor Douye Diri’s five years in office, Jonathan expressed concern over the plight of many Nigerian athletes who, despite winning international medals, often struggle financially after retirement.
“I always feel sad when I see people who have promoted the name Nigeria and competed in international games, either the Commonwealth or Olympics, winning medals. There are all kinds of celebrations at the time, but afterward, they are forgotten,” Jonathan said.
“After some years, some of them become almost beggars, even struggling to feed, and that does not encourage young people to dedicate their lives to sports.”
The former president urged the National Sports Commission to consider establishing such a fund at both national and state levels, emphasizing that it should be managed by reputable individuals to support athletes throughout their lives.
“We must ensure that anyone who has made the country proud is taken care of for life. This will encourage young men and women to invest 100 percent of their skills and lives in sports,” he added.
Jonathan also expressed hope that he would accompany President Bola Tinubu to commission the stadium upon its completion in 24 months. He recalled how, in the past, Nigeria struggled to find stadiums that met FIFA standards for international matches.
Governor Diri’s Remarks and Project Significance
Governor Douye Diri described the project as a transformative initiative that would redefine the state’s identity beyond sports, creating economic opportunities and generating jobs.
“This facility will serve as an inspiration for our youth – a place where dreams can take flight, talent can be cultivated, and champions can emerge,” Diri said.
He called for increased sponsorship from the Niger Delta Development Commission, banks, financial institutions, and international oil companies, similar to sponsorship models in Europe and America.
Support from Key Stakeholders
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau, and FIFA committee member Amaju Pinnick pledged their support to ensure the project meets international standards.
Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, emphasized that once completed, the ultra-modern stadium would serve as a hub for sports and entertainment, including live concerts, positioning Bayelsa as a dominant force in African sports.
The stadium, to be constructed by New Mutual Company, is designed to be expandable and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
0 Comments