Former Super Eagles player Sam Sodje has condemned in very strong terms the prevalence of paedophiles among youth coaches in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.
The retired footballer presently shuttles between London, England, and Delta State where he contributes to youth engagement and empowerment through sports.
Sodje expressed sadness that coaches who are entrusted with young children are abusing them sexually and destroying their future, and the society is not doing enough to arrest the criminal practices.
Sodje said: “Sports is a powerful tool that takes millions out of poverty in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, the present economic difficulties in Nigeria have led many parents to encourage their children to participate as a get-out-of-poverty vehicle.
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“In their hurry to ensure their wards participate in sports, they give them out without doing due diligence or proper background checks of the so-called youth coaches.
“Majority of the so-called youth coaches are of questionable character and their motive is to sexually abuse these children, not to give them coaching tutorials.”
Sodje revealed that he has heard too many stories of coaches who engage in the act of sexually abusing children in the course of offering coaching services in the different sports across the country.
During his playing days, Sodje played for English sides like Brentford, Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Charlton Athletic, Notts County, Portsmouth, and Greek club Skoda Xanthi.
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