The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) intends to organise an under-15 football championship in honour of late Super Eagles’ striker Rashidi Yekini.?
Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the NFA Chairman, disclosed this on Saturday in Ira, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara, at the eighth day Fidau prayers for the late player.
Maigari, who led a delegation to the prayers, said a committee had been constituted to work out modalities of how to immortalise Yekini who was the 1993 African Footballer of the Year.
“There is no time to mention Rashidi Yekini’s achievements in the football world. He is dead today, but his name is not dead and he will be remembered forever,” the NFA chairman said.?
He said a memorial football match would also be organised and played in Ilorin in honour of the player, with the proceeds from the match going to Yekini’s family.
“We also plan to propose to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for him (Yekini) to be given a national honour,” Maigari said.
The NFA chairman, who on behalf of the association also donated the sum of N500,000 to Yekini’s family, said the association is planning an insurance scheme.
“This will be established to take care of children of national players who die,’’ he said.
At the occasion, Alhaji Ahmad Tijani, the Chief Imam of Ira, led the prayers and urged God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the?late footballer.?
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Ofa, Alhaji Muyideen Hussein, tasked everyone to always remember that one day they would die.?
The cleric explained that death was inevitable and could come at anytime without notice.
“Service to God and good deeds are the only things that will be considered on the day of judgment,’’ he said.
Hussein urged government to always remember national heroes before their death, saying it was repulsive that many Nigerians were fond of celebrating heroes in death rather than when they were alive.
“No matter how wealthy you are, death will surely come one day. Once you become a national figure, there is no rest again. So, work to serve God and humanity,” he added.
The chief imam also called on government to remember the family left behind by the late Yekini, noting that his children needed government’s assistance to pursue their education. (NAN)