MANY Nigerians were once again treated to media reports of the deteriorating health condition of one of the nation's sporting heroes, Samuel Ojebode. The former Captain of Ibadan soccer 'lords,' the IICC Shooting Stars International (now the 3 SC International of Ibadan) was pictured in news reports, lying helplessly ill on a hospital bed in Ibadan, a city, which he had served on the football field for much of his adult life.Ojebode, in his prime, led the Ibadan clubside to Nigeria's first continental club title by winning the African Cup Winners Cup in 1976, while also making his defensive skills available to the national senior football team, the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) in a starting role as left back.Seeing such a patriot in the newspapers, lying so critically ill, with no visible assistance from both the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, corporate bodies or privileged individuals, left a sour taste in the mouths of those who knew how Ojebode performed or heard about his days in the sun all those years.Expectedly, many were disappointed at what they felt was the neglect of one of Nigeria's heroes in his time of need, and at a time he was retired and therefore incapable of fending for himself and his family, let alone pay the obviously unaffordable hospital bills.It was left only to the media to appeal to good-spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of the former footballer.The prompt response of the Oyo State Government, and the sports loving Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III to the pleas is equally praiseworthy. But, the media focus on Ojebode's plight would probably not have been necessary if there had been a structure for a more meaningful method of helping sports heroes so they do not spend their latter days in need or at the mercy of touted philanthropists.Although government, as prime mover of sports, has a key role to play in empowering and rehabilitating past heroes, input from the organised private sector or individuals is important. There should be a recognized platform to prepare sports personalities for the days they would inevitably retire and yield to upcoming youth. This 'safety net' which could be in form of insurance scheme is more desirable in the long run.While the sports persons are in their prime, government and clubs (where owned by corporate bodies or privileged individuals) can insure their wards and their families against exigencies after their 'glory' days.There is no reason why the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in the case of national team players, or the NPL (Nigeria Premier League) or clubsides, in the case of club players, should not take out insurance policies to prepare such players for the proverbial 'rainy day.'It is also not out of place for active professional sportsmen and women to contribute a small percentage of their wages into a pension scheme as a more lasting appreciation of those one-time sports heroes.If the present-day sports persons, many of who earn huge wages in foreign clubs, are harvesting from the pioneer work of retired players, who played when there was no money in football for example, those extremely lucky ones should make some sacrifices for the less unfortunate.Some of them could benefit from such a scheme, especially those whose careers are shortened by injuries. Accomplished sportsmen, who in their prime are known everywhere, should take advantage of their status, by preparing for life after their best days are behind them.Governments, at both Federal and state levels, must deem the future security of persons who bring joy to Nigerians and laurels to the nation by their performance, as a necessary step to engender sacrifice, excellence and patriotism in our society.
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