Pat Okwaraji, the brother of the late Sam Okwaraji,an ex-Super Eagles attacker who died while playing for Nigeria has said that it was worthless dying for the country.
Speaking during the opening of the Sam Okwaraji Memorial Football Competition at the Sam Okwaraji Stadium, Orlu in Imo, he said that the government did not properly honour those heroes who died for the country including his brother.
It would be recalled that Sam slumped and died on the field of play in 1989 during a World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos.
In his words, “We did not expect the Nigerian government to give Okwaraji’s family gold and silver, what we expected from the country is to immortalise our son who died for the nation.”
“Nigeria should learn how to inspire young talents by celebrating them when heroes are celebrated and immortalised, it will go a long way to inspire young talents.”
He lauded those who sponsored the competition, for bringing the family such a big honour.
“We are happy that our son is being honoured and remembered through this competition; I want to encourage athletes to see it as an opportunity to excel in their career,“ he said.
The organizer of the competition was Okey Eze, an APGA governorship aspirant in the 2015 general election in Imo.
