National Sports Festival: Governor Abiodun mourns death of Kano athletes in fatal crash

Following the devastating loss of 20 athletes from the Kano State contingent who perished in a terrible traffic accident while returning home from the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), which just ended in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed deep sadness.

The crew had just gone through Kaduna State when the terrible collision apparently happened, some 50 kilometers from Kano.

After competing in the Gateway Games 2024, the competitors were heading home to celebrate their accomplishments with loved ones.

With a solid collection of six gold, thirteen silver, and ten bronze medals, Kano State placed thirteenth overall in the NSF medals table.

Governor Abiodun called the tragedy "saddening and distressing" in a statement released on Saturday from the state capital of Abeokuta, highlighting the heartbreaking fact that promising young lives were lost in such a horrific way.

"The loss of 20 brave athletes who represented Kano State at the recently finished Gateway 2024 games in the most traumatic and agonizing circumstances is heartbreaking and sad," Mr. Abiodun said.

The young athletes, according to the governor, were gifted and driven individuals who not only competed with pride but also exhibited the genuine spirit of solidarity and camaraderie that the national games stand for.

"This hurts so much. These young individuals were rising stars with a wealth of abilities, skills, and inventiveness to offer the nation. The fact that their cherished family members will never again be able to see their lovely faces after a fantastic adventure at the National Sports Festival is very heartbreaking. "At this terrible hour, our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends," he continued.

Governor Abiodun praised the athletes' efforts to promote national harmony, pointing out that the National Sports Festival had united participants from all 36 of Nigeria's states.

He claimed that the Kano sportsmen were coming home with stories of rivalry and friendship until fate so brutally stepped in.

“Having represented Kano with pride and distinction and made friends with their compatriots from across the 36 states, the athletes were heading home with joy, only for their lives to be cut short just before setting foot on Kano soil.”

The governor prayed for strength and healing and sent his deepest sympathies to Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, and everyone else impacted by the tragedy.

We pray that Almighty Allah gives them eternal rest since we are very pained by this incident. I offer my condolences for this most terrible and regrettable occurrence to His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, his cabinet, Kano State Sports Commission Chairman Umar Bala Fagge, and the Kano State people. May we never see another incidence of this nature.

The National Sports Festival, often dubbed Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, is a celebration of youth, unity, and sportsmanship and the 22nd edition held in Ogun State was largely adjudged as successful.