Nwankwo Kanu - The Hero on and off the field!

Nwankwo Kanu, OON (born 1 August 1976), is a Nigerian footballer who is currently a free agent, having last played for Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team for 16 years from 1994 until 2010. He is currently the Special Adviser on Sports Matters, to the Imo State Governor.

 It was after his Atlanta 1996 Gold Medal that his soccer career nearly came to a halting end, based on a medical tragedy. He was diagnosed with a heart defect that threatened to cut short an amazing career that only a gifted talented, focused and hardworking individual could amass. With his firm faith in God, he underwent the heart surgery successfully in Cleveland Hospital, Ohio, US.
This experience inspired him to set up his foundation, Kanu Heart Foundation. 
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Kanu meets HM, Queen Elizabeth II at the Commonwealth Day Reception in 2010.

The Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation is a charity organisation established by the Ex-Nigerian International and former English Premier League football striker, Nwankwo Kanu (a.k.a Papilo) on 21st July 2000. The foundation was established to help underprivileged African children and young adults, living with different heart ailments in Nigeria and other African countries respectively, obtain the cardiac surgical operations needed.   

The 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2012 Olympic Torchbearer is Africa's most decorated football player, with a large collection of accolades from Premier Leagues across Europe and FIFA competition (to mention a few); and is giving back to the African continent, through the Foundation.

Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is also one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. He holds the record for most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times. He is also a UNICEF ambassador.


The primary aim of his foundation is to "put back smiles" to the faces of Nigerians and Africa's Blue children/young adults who suffer from various heart defects. "Our recipients  include any young children who would not survive to see their fifth birthdays without correctional procedures and many who would not live a normal life expectancy, without the surgery needed". 

The Foundation writes its success story through the numerous lives saved. KHF has sponsored over 400 heart surgeries at an outstanding 98.5% success rate.

Morden medical facilities like the digital cath lab and operating theatre with step-up and step-down ICUs, form an integral part of the healthcare delivery chain.
Our hospital performs both invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures that include surgical heart transplants, laser surgery, and directional coronary angiogram facility.
Cardiac rehabilitation is achieved through a spectrum of activities that incorporate exercise, diet and counselling, relaxation techniques and altitude and motivational techniques.
The children units have exclusive facilities for pediatric cardiology and offer complete range of diagnostic therapeutic options for congenital heart problems like: ASD, PDA, VSD RHD, BANDING, and PEST MAKER.  The team of experts ensures cardiac care of the highest standard to the patients. 
 "Although the Foundation was set up to help children and young adults, we have nonetheless provided medical and surgical assistance to some adults, subject to our set criteria, and availability of resources."
There are over 1000 patients awaiting cardiac surgery under KHF.

"Even if I stop playing football I will always be involved in the foundation," he revealed.
"The experience I went through with my operation makes you a stronger person - I have seen a lot. It takes away all the pressures on you. You realise there is a lot more to life than football." Kanu told BBC back in 2006.

Thank you for saving lives and giving back selflessly. God bless you, Kanu.