A former international, Chief Segun Odegbami, MON has decried the ‘use and dump’ attitude of Nigerians towards their sports men and women.
Delivering a lecture at the Best Ogedegbe Memorial organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter last Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of the former Green Eagles and IICC Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Chief Odegbami lamented the shabby way retired sports men and women are being treated.
The former IICC Shooting Stars and Green Eagles winger confessed that he is often reluctant to visit Ibadan because the pitiable conditions of his former teammates in the IICC Shooting Stars and the national team, residing in the city often make him sad.
“I am not happy at the way those of us who used our talents to make Shooting Stars a force to reckon with in Africa were abandoned. I sold my house in Ibadan as a protest against this ill treatment” Odegbami said.
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Lamenting further, Odegbami added: “I’m very bitter when I see the inhuman way we, sports men and women are treated in this part of our country. We sacrificed our youthful vigour and our talents for the glory of this country, only to be neglected and uncared for in our old age”.
Nicknamed ‘Mathematical’ because of his goal sense and prowess, also expressed his displeasure at the appalling present state of his former club now known as the Shooting Stars Sport (3SC).
Odegbami’s feelings were echoed by other speakers among whom was Dr Felix Owolabi Akinloye MON, who also expressed his sadness at the deplorable state of his beloved 3SC.
Dr Akinloye stated that most of the club‘s former players were being treated like outcasts in the administration of the club.