Two-time Olympic medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, has said that Nigerian athletes, past and present, are only entitled to respect and recognition for their achievements, not lifetime financial support from the government.
Udo-Obong made the remarks following criticisms by some former Super Eagles players, including Taribo West and Austin Eguavoen, who accused the government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of neglecting retired footballers at the service of songs for late goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
In a post shared via Facebook, Udo-Obong dismissed calls for special financial entitlements for athletes, arguing that sportsmen benefited from privileges during their careers.
“It is insulting for Austin Eguavoen to compare playing in the Super Eagles or any sportsman with a soldier. One lives a life of luxury and privilege, and the other lays down his life and privileges so that all can enjoy a life of privilege,” he wrote.
“The nation owes no sportsman any favour. On the contrary, we owe the country for the opportunity and platform they have given us to flourish our talents and to live a life envious to the majority. All we deserve from the country and its leaders is respect and recognition for our hard work,” Udo-Obong added.
Udo-Obong anchored Nigeria’s men’s 4x400m relay team to gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and also won bronze in Athens 2004.
In 2024, he was appointed Technical Director of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Athletics Development Programme, after beating competitors from the United States, Britain and Australia.
Before taking up the Saudi role, the 43-year-old served in various capacities in Nigerian athletics, including as Technical Director of the Lagos State Athletics Association.
