He wanted to last long, playing football -- the sport he had so much passion for in his younger days. He was so good that he had memorable stints, playing for top clubs like the Tabuno Babes FC, Warri, Obanta FC, Ijebu-Ode, VIP FC, Lagos and NEPA FC, Lagos in Nigeria's Professional League. But persistent injuries could not allow him fulfill dreams of longevity in the sport. But he was not deterred. He went back to school and studied to become a physioterapist. Today, he still contributes to the game through administering healing to players who face similar injury troubles he faced in his days. Meet former Super Eagles star, Victor Ehimhen Ighedosa, the UK-based former footballer now into sports medicine. In this interview with Weekly Sports Review (WSR), Ighedosa also touches on a number of issues germane to the development of football in Nigeria, and other related issues. Excerpts....
SIR, DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH FOOTBALL, YOUR PLAYING DAYS AND WHAT YOU CURRENTLY DO AS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
It was quite an interesting phase in my footballing career. It was an escape for me to be independent, being the last child of my mum. In a Nigerian context being the last child, everyone makes decisions for you. Football gave me the opportunity to have a voice of my own and be independent. It also gave me an opportunity to be the best I can be. I always wanted to be an important player in any team I was playing in. I didn't want to be on the bench, or one of the players who made up the numbers.
FOOTBALL AFFORDED YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH TEAMS OF NIGERIA AND NOTABLE CLUB SIDES IN QATAR, CAMEROUN, GERMANY AND ENGLAND. HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?
Interestingly, I debuted with the senior national team (Super Eagles) before playing with the junior national team, U-21. However, injury limited my participation. The experience was second to none. I was the first Nigerian footballer to play in the Qatari football league, after coming out as the second highest goal scorer in the Nigerian Bournvita Professional League then known as Division One in1991. Playing football internationally also afforded me the opportunity to visit different countries, see the world from a different perspective and was able to speak and understand different languages -- French, German and a little bit of Arabic.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR JOURNEY INTO SPORTS MEDICINE WHERE YOU NOW SPECIALISE IN INJURY TREATMENT, AND DO YOU SEE IT AS INSPIRING OTHER RETIRED FOOTBALLERS OF YOUR KIND WHO SEEK NEW AREAS OF EXPRESSION AFTER THEIR PLAYING CAREERS?
During my footballing career, I encountered lots of injuries and I feel it is right and proper to progress my career in helping young aspiring athletes to achieve their full potential. This is one of the main reasons I opted to go into the career of sports injury treatment and rehabilitation and contribute to grassroots development in sport. Football is a short career and one should know when to call it quits. There are a lot of opportunities, which most footballers don’t know that is in front of them, namely punditry, biomechanics, data analysis, masseur, sports management, coaching, etc. It will be helpful, if the football federation, develop a programme to enlighten footballers about life after football.
YOU RECENTLY PRODUCED AN INTERESTING BOOK TITLED, “MARCUS, AN AFRICAN BOY'S EUROPEAN DREAM” THAT ADDRESSES THE 'JAPA' SYNDROME -- A NEW TREND WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE MIGRATE OVERSEAS TO SEEK GREENER PASTURES. WHAT INSPIRED IT?
The book talks about some of the challenges young African footballers face when they travel abroad. I believe it will give them some ideas of what life is as a young professional footballer and help them to prepare for the challenges ahead. I am sure of us who later plied our trade in different countries of the world after leaving the shores of Nigeria in those days would have fared better in our careers had we the privilege to read a book as the one I have just written. The book is exhaustive and I'll recommend it for any young footballer who has big dreams of making it in Europe or elsewhere in the major leagues of the world.
BUT SIMILAR BOOKS WRITTEN TO SERVE AS A GUIDE TO THESE ASPIRING YOUNG PLAYERS HASN'T PRODUCED THE DESIRED RESULTS FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THEY SEE TRIPS TO THESE FOREIGN LANDS AS THEIR LAST HOPE. WHY DO YOU THIS IS SO?
The local main stream media and the football federation should highlight more on the dangers of illegal migration. Football is big business abroad and most professional clubs will not want to be involved in scandal that will be detrimental to the image of their club. A lot of people should understand that football clubs will not engage with footballers that enter a country illegally.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF AN AFRICAN PLAYER BEING ENGAGED ABROAD FOR A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT IF HE DID NOT COME THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT OR THROUGH OFFICIAL INVITAION OFFICIALLY?
The possibility is next to nothing. It’s through local and international tournaments or being an established football player in his or her country's local league. He or she might have the possibility of being positively engaged or scouted by professional clubs abroad. This, to me, is the only legal route to pursuing a professional footballing career abroad, not through any form of illegal entry.
SO, WHAT MUST AN AMBITIOUS YOUNG FOOTBALLER DO TO GET HIS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL DREAMS FULFILLED ABROAD?
He or she has to be disciplined, determined, dedicated and hardworking. These are the components of achieving their dreams in playing football professionally abroad. These are the also the ingredients they need to excel even in the local league.
YOU MENTIONED THE IMMENSE ROLE THAT A FEW PERSONS PLAYED IN MAKING YOUR PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER SUCCESSFUL IN THE BOOK. WHAT INSPIRED THE DECISION?
It is important to acknowledge people who have helped and supported you throughout your career because no man is an island. At every stage in our lives, we come across different types of people. Some give you experience, some give you lessons or blessings/memories. However, these shape or mould us to become the person we are.
DOESN'T IT BOTHER YOU THAT WELL MEANING NIGERIANS REGULARLY GET REWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOOTBALL IN NIGERIA WITHOUT YOU BEING CONSIDERED?
Yes. It is right and just to appreciate everyone who have contributed and sacrificed their time, finances and energy to the development and growth of grassroots football in Nigeria.
However, I feel awards can't be given to everyone who have distinguished themselves in the area of positively projecting the sport in the country and beyond on the same day. When it is time for us to make the list of deserving awardees, it will not pass us by.
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