US-Based Nigerian Coach Holds Game For Underprivileged

TAIWO ADELU

As part of his effort to give back to the society that brought him to the limelight, a United States-based Nigerian coach, Oladayo Anthony Ushurhe, has revealed his plan to organise a charity game and fund raising for the less privileged in Nigeria.

Ushurhe, a former Chief Coach of a Lagos-based Messiah Football Academy, who left Nigeria to America in 2014 to study Sports Coaching, Fitness and Health at the America Sports University, San Bernardino, California, told P.M. EXPRESS that the idea of organising a charity game, which proceeds will go to orphanage homes in Nigeria, came when he discovered that majority of Nigerian professional footballers are from poor background, but after these players have made it big in their chosen career they usually forget their past.

“Most of our footballers came from less privileged homes. I think it is high time that most of us that have made it big in the game come back to the society and do something to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged, because sometime in the past we were one of them,” said Coach Ushurhe, who had played with clubs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan and Nigeria.

He added, “The plan is to work in conjunction with the orphanage home of my mother in the Lord, Prophetess M.A. Oganla, who owns Tai Truevine Orphanage at 42 Ingatestone Road, South Norwood London SE25 4LG. This orphanage home is an affiliate of Messiah C & S Church, Lagos and Messiah Football Club, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos.

“The charity game will hold during off season when most of our players would be at home. We will involve our players playing abroad to attract crowd and sponsors. The proceeds from this charity game will be donated to the less privileged in Nigeria because we have to bring smiles in to their faces.

“Organising this game has been a dream that I had been nurturing since I left for the United States in 2014 and I want to appeal to our players to please join hands with me to make this possible. I also want spirited Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the project.

“During the charity game, there is plan to hold a fund raising dinner where we will invite stakeholders in Nigerian football to raise money for the less privileged in our society.

“I want to appeal to our footballers both home and abroad and more importantly our ex footballers to cue into this project to help upcoming players and the less privileged,” he said.

Before Coach Ushurhe went to the US, he handled Messiah FC between 2010 and 2014, where he won Ikeja Divisional Football League, Eko League and maiden Extra Joss Football Championship.