NPFL Tragedy: Sports Minister Sunday Dare Pledges Immediate Action

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has expressed his deep regrets at the ‘avoidable’ incident that led to the death of a local league player on Sunday.

Mr Dare equally sent his condolences to the family of the deceased and promised to set machinery in motion to forestall a repeat of such needless tragedy.

It would be recalled that the Match-day 23 fixture of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) between Nasarawa United FC and Kaduna United was punctured by the sudden slumping of the Solid Miners’ defender, Chineme Martins.

Martins, who spotted jersey number 20, slumped in the centre circle with only 47 minutes played.

All efforts to revive him by the medical team of Nasarawa United FC reportedly proved abortive. He was after that rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Images emerging from Lafia, however, revealed that the player was mobbed after he collapsed – possibly denying him fresh air – and there was no ambulance to transport him under controlled conditions.

These ugly revelations have likely compelled the minister to propose a collaboration with the NPFL management to ensure the right facilities are put in place ahead of any league game.

“The death of Nasarawa Utd FC defender Chineme Martins who slumped during (an) NPFL’s Match is sad but regrettably avoidable,” the Honourable Minister wrote in a tweet on Monday morning.

“While registering my condolences with team/ family, Ministry will immediately work with NPFL to role out mandatory conditions before any match is played.”

Nasarawa United won the match 3-0 over the visitors from Katsina, but players and fans were left in mourning after the unfortunate incident.