By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State chapter, has expressed deep shock over the loss of 22 athletes and officials of Kano State contingent to the just concluded 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SWAN Enugu Chairman, Comrade Gideon Iwueke, described the untimely death of the sports men and women as tragic, saddening and a big setback to the growth of sports in Kano State and Nigeria at large.
Comrade Iwueke, while consoling the Government and people of Kano State on the huge loss, also consoled with the SWAN chapter in Kano State.
He also pleaded with the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, to imortalise the departed members of the sports fraternity who paid the ultimate price while serving the country.
“The tragic death of 22 Kano State contingent members to the National Sports Festival on their way home, is saddening and a huge loss to sports in Nigeria. Their untimely death is a setback to Nigeria’s sports development.
“SWAN Enugu therefore uses this medium to commiserate with the Government and good people of Kano State and our brothers SWAN, Kano Chapter on this unfortunate incident. The 22 athletes, officials, coaches, administrators, journalists and medical personnel have paid the ultimate price for our sports development.
“We therefore, as critical stakeholders in sports in the country, appeal to the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, to imortalise these sports persons. Such would accord their memories and their sacrifice the needed national honour,'” Comrade Iwueke said.
It could be recalled that 22 members of Kano State contingent to the Festival died on Saturday while returning to the state from Ogun State in an accident which led to their Toyota Coaster bus swerving off the road while on Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State.
