The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nationwide Football League One, NLO, Mr. Sola Ogunowo said the reasons why players don’t slump in their league is because of the precautionary measures put in place and zero tolerance on medical requirements.
He made this statement during an exclusive interview with Newshunter in his office on Wednesday.
Mr. Ogunowo said when they realized that players were collapsing on the pitch across the world, he quickly put heads together with the chairman and his executive members to see how they could tackle the issue headlong.
He said when they told clubs during their Congress to conduct medicals for their players, many of them went to maternity and mini-clinics to produce reports without carrying out any tests.
The COO said when they discovered that some of the clubsides couldn’t afford the medical check ups in certified hospitals, they decided to collaborate with some medical personnel/hospitals to carryout FIFA minimum medical requirements and they discovered that many of the players were not eligible to play football let alone the league.
Some of the reports which couldn’t be made public for privacy reasons, saw many players at their tender ages, having very high blood pressure and other life-threatening ailments that require urgent attentions.
“NLO is the only league that doesn’t experience players slump because we have zero tolerance on medical requirements. When we discovered that some clubs couldn’t afford medical check-up, some were going to maternity and other unacceptable places, we put them together and engage some medical personnel and hospitals who did them for all the clubs at very affordable amount,” Ogunowo revealed.
Ogunowo further revealed that they also introduced Insurance Policy for players and match officials in the case of any eventuality, the insurance company will take care of the responsibilities of the deceased’s family.
Recalled that many players have slumped and died on the pitch while playing football, notable among them are late Samuel Okwaraji, Amir Agwe, and recently, assistant coach of Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, Oyo State, late Akin Olowokeere.
Watch out for the full interview on our YouTube – News Hunter Channel
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