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23 Africa telegraph 25 October - 09 November 2020

Sports News
#ENDSARS: Sports stars join the protest

against police brutality

During the recent international break, play- Anthony Joshua lends his support by tweet-
ers from Nigeria’s men and women’s football ing, “Well done to all the Nigerians who have
lent their voices to the cause on and off the been protesting against SARS, those who
pitch. made donations to fund organisations lobby-
ing against it, those who have recently been
Alex Iwobi tweeted #EndPoliceBrutality after informed & took time to educate themselves
publishing a picture with other members of and those with power to make change. Pray-
national football team kneeling in solidarity ing for Nigeria.”
with the #ENDSARS movement.
Manchester United star, Odion Ighalo, is one
Leicester City and Nigerian team Midfield- of the latest sports stars to voice their sup-
er, Wilfred Ndidi also tweeted, “#EndSARs port. In a video on Twitter, the Nigerian strik-
for the safety of Nigerians.” He said, “We er called his country’s government “a shame
are scared to visit home because the people to the world.”
who are meant to protect us are killing us.”
Mr Ighalo, who has won 35 caps for Nigeria’s
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford national football team, said in his statement
tweeted, “My thoughts and prayers with all that he could not “stay silent anymore.”
of those affected #EndSARS.” While Chel-
sea’s Tammy Abraham confirmed in his “I am ashamed of this government. We are
tweet, “#EndSARs #EndPoliceBrutality.” tired of you guys, and we can’t take this any-
more,” he added.
Arsenal’s Mesut Özil was concerned, and he
tweeted, “Horrible to hear what’s been going Nigerian footballer, John Ogu, said: “Our
on in Nigeria. Let’s make this a voices are being heard, but we want
trending topic everywhere #End- action.”
SARS - My thoughts go out to
everyone who has been affected. “To be honest I don’t think the bru-
#EndPoliceBrutality.” tality will end - and that’s what we’re
fighting for,” he said.

Mesut Özil

Wilfred Ndidi