Former Super Eagles and English Premier League football star Sam Sodje has strongly condemned the prevalence of paedophiles among youth coaches in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.
Speaking over the weekend, Sodje, who divides his time between London and Delta State, expressed deep sadness that coaches entrusted with young children are abusing their positions, sexually exploiting the children, and destroying their futures.
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He criticized the society for not doing enough to curb these criminal practices.
Sodje emphasized, “Sports is a powerful tool that lifts millions out of poverty in Nigeria and elsewhere.
However, the current economic challenges in Nigeria have led many parents to encourage their children to participate in sports as a means to escape poverty.
In their haste, parents often entrust their children to coaches without proper background checks or due diligence.”
He continued, “Many so-called youth coaches have questionable character and their motives are not to coach but to sexually exploit these children.”
Sodje, through his initiative “Life After Sports,” has traveled extensively across Delta State and Nigeria, promoting youth engagement and empowerment through sports.
He revealed that he has encountered numerous stories of coaches abusing children under the guise of offering coaching services.
Sodje is not just condemning these acts; he is also demanding urgent action. He calls for coaches involved in such immoral acts to be named, shamed, prosecuted, and punished as pedophiles are in Europe, America, and other regions.
He urged parents to conduct thorough background checks on coaches, stating, “I strongly advise parents to ensure they carry out due diligence through top officials of various sports associations across the country, including Delta State, to protect their children from these unscrupulous coaches.
As parents, it is our duty to protect our children from these wicked individuals in our society.”
Sodje also called on sports administrators to take responsibility, “I urge administrators of various sports associations to properly vet individual coaches and ensure that those with immoral tendencies are removed and banned from working with children.
This is essential for the well-being of our young athletes and the integrity of sports.”
The football star, who played for several top English clubs and Greek club Skoda Xanthi, pledged to lead the fight against this reprehensible practice, aiming to safeguard the future of young athletes and ensure they can develop their talents in a safe and nurturing environment.
