Elijah: Players Must Be Insured
omi Elijah Calls On Clubs To Insure Their Players
Kogi United FC head coach, Yomi Elijah has called on Nigerian League clubs to ensure that they insure their players in case of risk.
The reported robbery attack on the players of Kano Pillars FC on Thursday along Abaji-Lokoja highway on their way to Owerri to honor the star match of the Nigeria Professional Football League opener against Heartland FC, saw Super Eagles striker Gambo Muhammed, former Dream Team star Eneji Otekpa, defensive trojan Adamu Murtala, ex Elkanemi Warriors defender Reuben Ogbonnaya and wing wizard Ubong Ekpai all sustaining various degrees of injuries.
SL10 can authoritatively report that, Gambo Muhammed and Eneji Otekpa were worst hit by bullets and are set for more than eight weeks on the sidelines.
The trio of Adamu Murtala, Reuben Ogbonnaya and Ubong Ekpai should be fit in a couple of days.
The former ABS FC tactician has insisted all players participating in the various leagues in the country should be properly insured.
This means that players at the Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Nation-Wide League and the Nigeria Women Football League must have insurance cover before their clubs will be eligible to contest in the league.
In a chat with SL10 on Thursday evening at the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, where the injured Kano Pillars players were being attended to, the young coach in an emotional tone sent his best wishes to the injured players and called on the football authorities to enforce clubs to insure their players.
“I couldn't hold it when I sighted the players. It wasn't too good at all. I wish them quick recovery, while calling on everyone to be calm,” the coach told SL10
“The various league bodies should ensure that players and officials participating at any organized football competition must have insurance cover for the period of their engagement, as a way of safeguarding their career/future in case of any unforeseen accident, injuries/permanent disability.”
“The management of the Kano Pillars ought to have insured their players in case of fatal or permanent injury.”
“I hope it will not affect their impressive run at the CAF Champions league having to travel next week for their next game. I pray for a successful league season void robbers and accident by the grace of God,” he added.
