**Nigerian Footballer Chinonso Jeremiah Obi Hospitalized After Knife Attack in Lithuania** In a shocking incident that has left many in Nigeria and the football world stunned, Nigerian footballer Chinonso Jeremiah Obi, who plays for FK Dianava in Lithuania, has been hospitalized after a knife attack on Tuesday. According to reports, Obi, a 20-year-old from Lagos, was stabbed multiple times while walking to a location where his team was about to leave for a league encounter in Tauragė. The attack occurred near an apartment building on Naujoji Street in Alytus around 11am. Obi was stabbed in the stomach, buttocks, and arm before his team's administrator and passersby intervened to overpower the attacker and detain him. The player was then taken to the hospital where his condition is said to be critical. FK Dianava has condemned the attack, calling it "incomprehensible and unforgivable." The club has also cancelled its plans to play the league encounter in Tauragė and hopes for Obi's full recovery. In a statement on Facebook, the club expressed its shock and outrage at the attack, saying "Our football player has become a victim of a serious crime... He was attacked with a knife and is currently in hospital, his condition is serious." The Lithuania Football Federation has also condemned the attack, describing it as racism-related. President Edgaras Stankevičius called for the safety of players regardless of their origins, saying "Racism has no place in football or society. Every player, regardless of nationality, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity." Obi's case highlights the growing concern about racism and violence in football, not just in Lithuania but also in Nigeria. As Nigerian footballers continue to excel on the international stage, they face numerous challenges, including racism, xenophobia, and violence. The international community is watching closely as Obi's condition is closely monitored. We hope for his speedy recovery and for justice to be served in this heinous crime.