The Chairman of Nigeria Table Tennis Umpires and Referees Association , Olufemi George , presented a Cheque of Two hundred and fifty thousand naira to the family of Late Umpire Saidi Raji , who died on the seventh of February from prostate cancer .
In attendance during the presentation ceremony is the Secretary of the Association , Mr Sanya Afisu , the Assistant Secretary , Mr Samson Shoyomi , the Ex-officio , Mrs Sahde Akinlotan , and the representatives of the Lagos State Chapter , Mr Segun Adedokun and Mr Okunola Lawal .
In his presentation Speech , OluFemi George , said the deceased is a passionate and committed member of the Association .
“ Saidi Raji was one of us before he passed on to glory , he played his part when he was alive , He is a committed and intelligent umpire.
“While he was alive , We took a bold decision as an association to put up a group life insurance cover with ARM Insurance , he was one of the front runner ,who came to me to appreciate the policy promising that he would encourage others to partake , not knowing that he would be the first beneficiary . Today his family are here to receive the benefit” He said.
Saidi Raji, a former table tennis player , who joined the Association in 2008 is married to Former National Table Tennis Player, Ganiyat Erinmilokun.
the Chairman further stated that the insurance benefit is the first of its kind and that the parent body , Nigeria Table Tennis Federation should follow the same path to ensure that Nigeria Table Tennis Players ,coaches gets insured .
In the company of their eldest son, Abdulwaris Raji, while receiving the chegue, Ganiyat, in a sober mood but elated by the kind gesture of the association, said that she is happy that the association she is reluctantly a member is presenting an insurance benefit to her because of the active involvement of her late husband .
Late Siadi Raji and Ganiyat Erinmilokun are blessed with three sons.
Credit: Mudashiru Shittu
