Some Lagos State lawmakers have urged the National Sport Council (NSC) to give full support to Nigerian sports stars after they had served the country meritoriously.
Mr Rotimi Olowo, (ACN Somolu I), reacting to the death of former Nigeria football star, Rashidi Yekini? said on Saturday that there should be a conscious effort to take care of all Nigerians sports stars, especially in retirement.
“There should be a conscious effort to support and take care of the sport stars when in service and after serving the nation,’’ he said.
The lawmaker told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the NSC should change from neglecting them after serving the country with all their youthful energy.
He lamented the sudden death of the ace striker who had played for many African and European clubs, describing it as shocking and saddening.
Olowo noted that Yekini, 48, who died on Friday? might have died as a result of neglect and suffering.
The lawmaker added that he had performed very well and gave all he had in the field of football to the country that he deserved not to die like that.
Another lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Segun Olulade, (ACN-Epe II), said Nigeria should celebrate sports stars while they were still alive.
Olulade described the death of Yekini as unfortunate and said he died as a result of abandonment, neglect and lack of support from the government and the people.
“Nigerians should cultivate the attitude of celebrating our sports stars while performing and after they have left the field of play and not after their death,’’ he said.
He condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
?