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Sports News of Tuesday, 2 February 2021

Source: punchng.com

Dare, ex-Eagles stars mourn ex-NFF boss Obakpolor

John Obakpolor John Obakpolor

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and ex-internationals have paid tribute to former Nigeria Football Association (now Nigeria Football Federation) chairman, Group Captain John Obakpolor (retd.), who died on Monday.

The NFF announced the demise of its former chairman late Monday night on its Twitter handle.

“We @TheNFF regret to announce the passing on of one-time Chairman of then Nigeria Football Association, Group Captain John Obakpolor (Rtd). May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” the NFF stated.

Obakpolor was the 24th chairman of the football federation from 1984 to 1987.

Dare described the late NFA boss as a great administrator and a fine gentleman.

“My thoughts and prayers with his family, friends, and the Nigerian football community. Rest In Peace,” Dare stated.

Reacting to the news, former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin said, “The country achieved a lot during the tenure of John Obakplor. He focused on the development of the youth system back then. The achievement of a country’s football lies in the grassroots and he developed that.

“He also helped to developed a lot of stars from the local league and this he will forever be remembered for.”

Folorunsho Okenla, another ex-Eagles star, added, “Obakpolor was a very patriotic Nigerian. He was a great sprinter and no doubt about his ability to do 100m even better than some of us at that time.”

Maroc’88 AFCON defender Yisa Shofoluwe stated, “He was a very nice man and I have fond memories of him when we played for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984.”

Obakpolor, a retired Air Force officer, also distinguished himself in the aviation sector and was Chairman of the Technical and Administrative Panel that investigated the 2012 Dana airline crash that killed all 153 people on board.