Prioritise health of sportsmen – Association urges stakeholders

Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), Harrison Jalla, on Tuesday, called on sports stakeholders, to extend support to nation’s ailing sports heroes, in a bid to restore their confidence.

Jalla, made the call in a seperate interview with newsmen in Lagos, following ailment of Nigerian football icon, Kadiri Ikhana.

Ikhana, is a former Green Eagles’ star and Nigerian football, who managed Kano Pillars.

He, had been hospitalised for over a week, but was reportedly discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Monday.

Jalla, noted that so much had to be done, to reawaken the confidence in young athletes, that future after retirement is guaranteed.

“After due consultations with family, friends and well wishers, an Abuja and Lagos-based businessman Peter Dunia, also a philanthropist, has come to our rescue.

“Dunia, has taken the responsibilities on himself, to get Ikhana back on his feet.

“Dunia, a patron of PFAN led by Tijani Babangida (MON), was contacted amd immediately, he came to our rescue,” he said.

The chairman, said that Dunia had put a call to the Turkish Hospital’s management, to expect Ikhana on Monday.

“As we speak, after series of tests, Coach Kadiri Ikhana was admitted on Monday at 6p.m. for better medical attention,” he said.

Jalla, consequently, called on the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, the Edo State Government as well as sports enthusiasts, to extend support to Ikhana.