The Vice-Chairman of Ondo State Football Association, Henry Akingboju, on Saturday said the association had always been fully compliant in providing medical facilities and personnel during matches in the state.
Akingboju told the News Agency of Nigeria in Akure that the association had on its part always ensured that all necessary provisions were made.
“We take care to forestall unseen circumstances before, during and after matches,” he said.
Akingboju told NAN that all the conditions for a hitch-free match, as directed by the League Management Company, had always been met by the state FA.
He added that this was always in conjunction with the management of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure and other relevant stakeholders.
He said: “We have always ensured that matches went on according to the rules.
“And, as regards new directives, we on our part in Ondo State will definitely get it right.
“We will do the needful to ensure we have hitch-free matches in our stadium.
“I will direct the (FA) Secretary to liaise with the ambulance man and I will personally see the Chairman of Sunshine Stars FC so that we can continue to get it right.
“Necessary measures will also be put in place before our next home match.”
NAN reports that the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, had issued directives on the provision of medical facilities and personnel at venues of league matches.
The directives, which were later echoed by the Nigeria Football Federation and the LMC, were in the wake of the death of Chineme Martins on Sunday in Lafia.
Martins, then of Nasarawa United, had died during their Match Day 23 in the Nigeria Professional Football League against visiting Katsina United.
His death came after he slumped while standing alone in his team’s half of the pitch, and the failure to get proper and immediate medical attention must have been a cause.
The incident led to the directive that no NPFL match should go ahead henceforth without the adequate provision of medical facilities and personnel at the venue.
Speaking also, Tajudeen Akinyemi, Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency, managers of Sunshine Stars, said the agency had always complied with all medical measures necessary in the game of football.
Akinyemi said the agency was also working on the areas which needed improvement as stipulated by the LMC.
NAN reports that Sunshine Stars’ next match is against Enyimba International FC of Aba in a rescheduled Week 21 fixture of the NPFL.
NAN.
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