Some Stakeholders in Osun have called for the immortalising of the late Brazilian legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pele, who was the greatest footballer of all time.
Pele died on Dec. 29, at the age of 82 after a protracted illness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pele was hospitalised several times for urinary infections in 2021 and also in 2022 for colon cancer before his death.
Mr Olusoji Wojuade, Director, Osun Sport Council, who spoke in an interview with NAN on Friday in Osogbo, said Pele was a football genius.
He said that Pele would be remembered for his enormous roles both on and off the pitch during his lifetime.
“The greatest football legend will be remembered for revolutionising the sport entirely with his jersey number 10.
Wojuade urged footballers across the country to emulate the good deeds left behind by the football legend.
Mr Tajudeen Amodu, Secretary, Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Osun, said footballers have a lot of lessons to learn from Pele in order to be great.
“The lesson to learn from Pele is enormous and one of them is that he was not involved in drugs or any social vice, this helped him to live up to 82 years.’’
Mr Muyideen Adeleke, a sport analyst, said the late legend was able to succeed because of the support he received from the right people especially in his country.
Adeleke, who is also a sport journalist commended the late football legend for changing the face of the game worldwide with his style of play.
“Pele has come and gone but his legacies remain and will live long.
“I want to urge all footballers and football fans across the world to always remember Pele for his enormous contributions to the sporting world. (NAN)
