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Former Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi has been recognized by the United Nations as a Football for the Goals (FFTG) Champion, becoming the first and only retired Nigerian footballer selected for the global initiative.
According to a report by the Leadership, Amokachi received the honour during the ‘One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for the Goals’ event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Organized by the UN Youth Affairs Office, the gathering brought together government officials, policymakers, youth leaders, and leading athletes to discuss how sport can improve mental well-being and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Nigerian football icon was joined by FIFA ambassador and Brazil World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, former Chelsea and England women’s international Eniola Aluko MBE, and former NBA player and basketball executive Pop Mensah-Bonsu.
Speaking at the event, Amokachi reflected on his own mental health struggles after a serious injury at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France ended his hopes of securing a move to either the English Premier League or Italy’s Serie A.
He explained that following surgery, doctors informed him six months later that he would no longer be able to continue his playing career, a setback that triggered significant mental health challenges.
Drawing from that experience, the Olympic gold medallist established the Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Youth Development Foundation.
The organization uses sport as a tool to empower young people while advancing several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.
#SuperEagles #UnitedNations.
SB E-news.
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