Special Assisant to the NFF President on international relations, Mr. Tunde Adelakun has kick –started a movement that will keep Nigeria’s (and indeed, African) heroes in the minds of all wherever they may be.
Named ‘Heroes Never Forgotten,’ the movement will gather information on Nigeria’s past heroes, identify them and get to know where they are and what they are doing presently, including their state of health.
“I have been thinking hard since the deaths of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu. I don’t know if this is the best step but I know it is a step and I am delighted that the other persons in the group are also excited about it from the first time I spoke with them.
“Heroes Never Forgotten will be a group of heroes; African players and coaches who have made contributions to the growth and development of the game of football in their respective countries over the years; people who have sacrificed immensely for their countries to get to where they are today.
“We will organize periodic talks, fora and seminars to educate our heroes on lifestyle choices and the importance of their welfare and health, and also be a support group that our heroes can approach with their issues and shall do our best to help, directly or indirectly,” explained the UK –based Adelakun, who is also publisher of New African Soccer.
The group has taken it upon itself to start work by compiling information on Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations –winning squad. Details on those of them still alive will be fed into a database for subsequent action.
