Dr Tammy Danagogo, a former Minister of Sports, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to engage talents like Joseph Yobo, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha in youth football.
Danagogo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the former internationals would serve as inspiration to the youth who want to pick up a career in football.
According to him, having served the country very well, the federation should not allow the talents to waste.
“My concern is that players like Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo and Austin Okocha, this country must not allow them to waste.
“Most of them are in their early forties. They are at the stage where the country truly needs to engage them,” he said.
Danagogo stated that it was up to the Federal Government, Ministry of sports and NFF to think out ways and means of engaging them.
“ When I was in the sports ministry, we were working on a committee that will not just put their names on the sports hall of fame, but on how to have a fund that will engage them if they want to be trained as coaches or not,” he said.
Danagogo said the former internationals still had a lot to offer the country and should be well engaged, especially to train future stars.
On the Yobo testimonial match, the former minister said it was good for the country that he was being honoured.
He said that as the most capped player in the country, Yobo deserved to be praised and honoured by the country.
He called on other state governments to appreciate other sportsmen and women that brought honours to the country. (NAN)