By Emmanuel Ndukuba
Awka, June 15, 2024 – Benson Udeh, grassroots Football and Gymnastics coach based in Awka, Anambra state has called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and Nigerians to come to his aid.
Udeh who spoke to journalists from his bed of confinement said the experts who managed him had assured, he was hopeful of walking again if he is able to access the necessary medical care.
Udeh was involved in a road crash and sustained spinal injury in June 2016 on his way to the finals of the maiden Willie Obiano Academicals Football Competition at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha
He was leading his team, Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu Community Secondary School, Isuanocha, when their vehicle crashed at Oba-Nnewi road.
He had been treated at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Memphis Specialist Hospital Enugu and National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu but had been abandoned since 2017 without care
Udeh said living in solitary confinement for eight years has been the most traumatic experience he had had in life and pleaded for financial assistance.
“It has been eight years now since I sustained this spinal cord injury and I have been bedridden since then.
“It happened when I was leading my team to the final of Willie Obiano Academical Cup in 2016, t thank everybody for the assistant they have given but I still want to walk again.
‘I call on Gov. Soludo and his sports loving and compassionate wife to help, I call on lovers of sports and the entire Nigerian people to support me to get medical attention,” he said
Udeh said he still loved football and wanted to go back to what he loved doing, including helping young people discover and develop their talent in sports.
