Ministry of Sports Vs Alliance Hospital: Kadiri Ikhana Breaks Silence

Ministry of Sports Vs Alliance Hospital: Kadiri Ikhana Breaks Silence

By Niyi Busari

Former Super Falcons of Nigeria coach, Kadiri Ikhana has said that the five hundred thousand naira given to him by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare is meant for purchases of drugs and not payment for his surgery operations, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The former Enyimba International and Kano Pillars coach said he needs to set the record straight while commending the kind gesture of Alliance Hospital for the free surgery operations and also the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare for the financial assistant.

Speaking with BSN Sports, the former Super Eagles player said, "the five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) from the Ministry of Sports given to me is not meant for the two surgeries." Kadiri Ikhana said.

"The operations have been done for free by Alliance hospital before the ministry financial assistant came. I told the ministry of sports to assist me to meet up with my drugs bills. That's why they approved the money. And I want yo use this opportunity to say a big thank to Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare and Alliance Hospital.

"The hospital did the surgery free and even promised to do the last surgery for me for free.

The former African best coach spoke on his fitness and career.
"I walk normal and beginning to jog gradually which shows the effect of the surgeries.

"For now, my health is paramount and will not risk going into coaching because I have to be 100 percent fit before going into coaching. It demands a lot of kicking, movements, physical and mental balance. Coaching can even derail me now. So, I dont want to think about coaching now but if I can be able to get a job like Technical Director of a club, I can put in my little advice to help the club achieve their dreams.

While sending his gratitude to Alliance Hospital, Ikhana hope to go for the last surgery in November, 2020

"I am thinking of going for the third surgery in November because the Coronavirus pandemic has already affected my schedule with the Alliance hospital. Also by November, I will be stronger than I am now." He concluded.

Kadiri Ikhana in 2019 appealed to Nigerians to come to his aid over his deteriorating health. Alliance hospital, Abuja called the coach and performed two successful separate hip replacement surgery operations on him. The coach who was unable to stand on his feet before the surgeries can now walk and jog.

Ikhana managed Nigeria's Enyimba, winning the African Champions League in 2003. He was awarded CAF's Coach of the Year that same year. In 2004, he was manager of the Nigerian men's Olympic team.

He later managed Kano Pillars , before resigning in May 2008, citing corruption in the sport. He had led Kano Pillars to their first ever league title a day earlier.
He was appointed manager of the Nigerian women's national team in April 2012, before resigning in November 2012.