THE Nigeria Football Federation is willing to make significant contributions in the celebration of legendary Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, the body’s General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi has promised.
Balogun starred for and captained the national team in the years leading to Nigeria’s Independence in 1960 and had a reputation for fierce shots, hence the ‘Thunder’ nickname.
The Lagos-born former striker also played in England for a number of years and the Teslim Balogun Stadium in his home state is named after him. He later coached the national team and died in 1972 aged 45.
“Teslim Balogun played profound and remarkable roles in Nigerian football, both as a player and as coach,” Sanusi said on Tuesday when the organising committee of the Thunder Balogun 50th Anniversary Celebrations paid him a courtesy call in his office at the NFF Secretariat, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
“His giant footprints are there for all to see. It is important that we play a key role in the ongoing efforts to celebrate and immortalize him, because that will send the right signals to both present and upcoming players that Nigeria do care.
“When we received the letter from your committee, the NFF President said he was interested in NFF being part of the programme and he insisted that we nominate someone to represent the Federation and give us feedback on all that was being done to celebrate ‘Thunder’ Balogun.
“He was an achiever and a role model, and the NFF will work with the committee to celebrate a legend of the Nigerian game.”
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, stated that Teslim Balogun, who died in July 1972, was Nigeria’s first professional football player who made name and robust fame playing at home and abroad and also coached the senior national team.
He said the committee has the mission of organising a book launch, a seminar, football matches and airing documentaries on the legend during the one-week celebration in July 2022.
Sanusi added that the NFF will be ready to liaise with fellow Football Associations in the African continent with regards to the planned international football matches, and also support the committee with some logistics to ensure the success of the event.
Other members of the committee present were Jibola Balogun (son of the legend), Lanre Arogundade, Kunle Solaja, Ademola Olajire and Pastor Emmanuel Olaseinde, secretary of the committee.
