Nigerian Professional Football League side, Warri Wolves, have paid a condolence visit to the Management of Nasarawa United Football Club over the demise of one of their players, Chineme Martins.
Moses Etu, Chief Executive Officer, Warri Wolves, led the captain, Mark Daniel, and Director of Welfare of the South-South-based Club to Lafia for the condolence visit.
Expressing his Club’s sympathy to the Management and players of Nasarawa United FC, Moses Etu said,
“We are here to sympathize with the Chairman, Management members, Coaches, players and supporters of the Club over the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday.
“We got the news while we were in Gombe for our match against Adamawa United. It was a rude shock to us that a player slumped and you did everything possible to resuscitate him, but still could not make it back to life.
“I feel bad that some people are busy writing and creating different opinions about the whole tragedy. When something is bound to happen, there is nothing on earth you will do to prevent it from happening, and I think that of Martins wasn’t an exception.
“We want to encourage you and the players that Martins had a vision and that vision was fighting to ensure that Nasarawa United remains in the elite league. You should not relent in your effort, but continue to fight until that vision is actualized so that his soul would be happy wherever he is.
“I am also happy that the Chairman has promised to carry the Late Martins’ family along and accord him a befitting burial. I trust him and I know what he can do, even as Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners’ Association.
“We pray that God grant his soul eternal peace”, Etu prayed.
Reacting, Chairman of Nasarawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi, appreciated Warri Wolves for the visit.
“We are really delighted by this visit and particularly touched by the condolence message you had earlier sent.
“Warri Wolves are the second club to have visited to condole us, and incidentally, too, you are the second club to place a call to us on phone. So, you have matched words with action.
“Indeed, what has happened to us is a sad commentary for football both in Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
“For those who knew the Late Chineme Martins would attest to the fact that he was one of our most dependable and reliable defenders in the NPFL. We are greatly going to miss him because he had a vision and mission, together with his colleagues, to ensure that Nasarawa United remains afloat.
“Though a lot of people are forming various opinions about the incident, but fortunately, too, the family members of Late Martins have been so cooperative as we have met with them and explained to them what happened.
“They have identified the corpse of their brother and they have agreed that autopsy be carried out to help us as a club, his family and the general public to identify the primary cause of his death.
“So, what Warri Wolves have exhibited today will linger in our hearts for a long time. And it is our humble prayer that this relationship between us remains solid, and may God continue to reward you abundantly”, Barrister Isaac stated, tearfully.
Chineme Martins, 23, had died in the hospital after slumping in the first-half of matchday 23 of the Nigerian Professional Football League game against Katsina United on Sunday, 8th March, 2020, in Lafia, a game Nasarawa United eventually won 3-0.
