NFF Inaugurates Medical Panel On Ogoli

NFF President Aminu Maigari has inaugurated a six-man ad-hoc medical panel charged with looking into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of Ocean Boys FC defender Emmanuel Ogoli.

Ogoli slumped during a Nigeria Premier League match between his club and Niger Tornadoes of Minna at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday, December 12 and died before medics could get him to hospital.

Maigari said the panel, which has six weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a report that will help Nigeria football to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future, was informed by the sheer knowledge that such untimely deaths could be prevented.

According to NFA, the committee were to examine the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident of the sudden death of Emmanuel Ogoli and determine if appropriate steps were taken to prevent or manage the incident.

They are aalso to determine the level of compliance by Ocean Boys Football Club of Brass with the Nigeria Premier League’s regulations and guidelines, if any, on players’ medical fitness certification process.

They will also make recommendations on policies and guidelines to be adopted by the Nigeria Football Association that will ensure the prevention of this type of incidence in the future.

The committee will also ensure the provision of adequate medical care including emergency medical care to all Nigerian footballers during training sessions and football matches.

They are to advise the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on any matter that will enhance the health, safety and welfare of Nigerian footballers.

“We feel very sad over this incident and we are determined that it should not happen again. That has compelled the decision of the NFF Executive Committee to put together this group of highly –qualified and highly –experienced physicians to help us find a way out”, said Maigari.

The panel has as chairman a former Super Eagles medical doctor and sports physician with over 20 years experience, Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu, with Dr. Akin Amao, also a former Super Eagles doctor and highly respected physician, Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi and Dr. Mohammed Sani Isah as members. Mr. Christian Emeruwa is secretary.