Chief Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development has joined the world sports community to mourn the exit of one of the greatest football icons in history, Edson Arantes Do Nascimento globally known as Pele.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare said Pele was more than just a footballer, describing him as a gift to sports and humanity. His name was synonymous with the name of the game football.
His words: “Pele’s exploits cannot be forgotten. His successes were not just on the football pitch, they went beyond the pitch into the minds of people because he impacted humanity.
“It took a long time for many people to know he was a Brazilian, he was just a citizen of the world. He transcended boundaries and broke barriers.
“It is therefore not a surprise to see this outpouring of emotions at the news of his passing inspite of the fact that he has had a long drawn battle with illness.
Pele passed on at the age of 82 after battling colon cancer.
He was the only player in history to win the World Cup three times after helping Brazil to the title in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
In 2000, he was named the FIFA Player of the Century. He also served as a Sports Minister in his country.
“He is unarguably the greatest footballer of all time. May his soul rest in peace,” the Minister concluded.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
