NIGERIA: Two-time Olympic medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, believes that past and present Nigerian athletes in different sports are entitled to respect and recognition from the country, against the idea of lifetime financial benefits, The PUNCH reports.
Udo-Obong made this remark in the wake of comments by some Nigerian ex-football players, who berated the Nigeria Football Federation and the government for neglecting ex-players.
Former Super Eagles defenders, Taribo West and Austin Eguavoen, spoke at the service of songs for the late goalkeeper, condemning the government for abandoning Rufai.
The Nigeria Football Federation, however, released a statement to counter the claims of the ex-internationals.
“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,” Udo-Obong wrote via Facebook.
“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.”
Udo-Obong won two Olympic medals for Nigeria.
He anchored the men’s 4x400m relay team to gold at the Sydney 2000 Games and also won bronze in the same event at Athens 2004.
In 2024, he joined the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Athletics Development Programme as Technical Director.
He landed the job after a stiff competition with other experts from America, Britain and Australia.
Before then, the 43-year-old functioned at different capacities in Nigerian athletics. He was also prominent as the Technical Director of the Lagos State Athletics Association.
