A former Nigeria table tennis player, Barrister Wahab Shittu yesterday decried the neglect of ex-internationals in the country, which in most cases turn some of the nation's sport heroes to beggars.

"As far as development is concern, it works in variations. It involves every sector including sports development. The agony of our country is that many people have honoured and made the country high, but not appreciated", he said.

Shittu voiced out his concern in a chat with sports writers in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital and charged the government to turn sports stars into idols as obtained in the advanced countries.

He said, "Veteran athletes should not be ones to solicit for assistance when trying to donate their talents for the betterment of the country.

"If our nationalists like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello can be honoured, then the veteran athletes, heroes need to be appreciated for showcasing Nigeria in Africa and the world.

"Former players should not be someone that would queue for a long time to see government officials because they have done honour and sacrifice for the country", he said.

On the Table Tennis Academy recently founded in the state by Kasali Lasisi, Shittu, who is a legal luminary, noted that the academy was a way of unearthing hidden talents from the grassroots, adding the academy would aid sports development. He called on government to ensure that sportsmen were respected in the society because of the contributions they have made.