Sports Minister renders support to ailing Brodericks-Imaseun

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ailing former Golden Eaglets coach Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen has received a respite from his sick bed as Sports Minister, Sunday Dare has reached out to him.

Dare, on Monday rendered financial support to the ailing Brodericks Imasuen, who is currently recovering from stroke at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

The support which wasn’t disclosed was sent through his Special Assistant on Media Toyin Ibitoye.

Broderick was described as “a national hero who needs all the care he can get to bounce back to good health” as captured by Tribune.

Former Super Eagles Media Officer, Ibitoye told the wife of the ailing coach, Helen, that the minister felt compelled to help the World Cup-winning coach to ensure he gets the best of medication at the UBTH.

Ibitoye said, “The Minister asked me to come to Benin to see Coach Brodericks personally and deliver the message which is between him and the family of the coach.

“I am happy to see that Coach Brodericks is making good progress and the Minister is also elated about this,” he added.

Helen thanked the minister for his gesture said her husband was responding to treatment, and called for support from the coach, noting she hopes that Imasuen would continue to respond to treatment

“I thank the minister for this kind gesture, it shows that the plight of my husband is getting to the right channel. I pray that he will continue to receive the support he needs to get back on his feet.

“He is better now compared to when we brought him to the hospital. Hopefully, he can get better and be relocated to another ward to continue treatment. I urge that he get more support as he continues his recovery.

84-year-old Broderick is a former Nigeria international who starred as a midfielder for the Green Eagles.

During his playing days, Broderick represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico as he also played for Bendel Insurance. His free-kick goal ensured that Bendel Insurance won the 1972 Challenge Cup, beating Mighty Jets 3-2 in the final played in Ibadan.

Broderick-Imasuen also served as an assistant coach in Super Eagle during Clemens Westerhof’s time as the  Technical Adviser.