Soccer legend, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has said that he sometimes wonders whether or not he took the right decision by quitting the round leather game, which brought him fame and fortune, when he did.
The immensely-talented footballer who rose to become Nigeria’s Super Eagles captain also confessed that stepping aside from football to go into business was a painful and difficult decision to make.
‘Yes, it was a very difficult decision…Even up till now, I’m still thinking whether I made the right decision or not… A part of my heart is still in football. It’s what I did throughout my life. And it is what I still love to do…’
Okocha, it would be recalled, ceased playing professional football in 2008 – and after over two decades in the business. Born on August 14, 1973, he hails from Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State. Married to Nkechi and blessed with two adorable children, Daniella and Jeddidah, the soccer star before finally hanging his boots had played for Rangers International FC of Enugu, Borussia Neukirchen FC of Germany, Eintrancht Frankfirt FC, also of Germany, Fenerbache FC of Turkey, Paris Saint Germane of Germany and Bolton Wonderers of London.
Still sad about not winning the African Footballer of the Year, the soccer wizard, alongside his elder brother, Emmanuel, on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, launched the Jay Jay Okocha Foundation, at 1-Naira Digital Hub, in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Attended by his former colleagues like Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai, the foundation will begin auctioning Okocha’s memorabilia from Monday, August 1, 2016. Explaining what prompted this, Okocha said:
‘Another objective of this foundation is creating jobs through football. If I can set up training centres across the country, I will need my colleagues. I believe in empowering people…’