Having watched him dazzle at major tournaments at the cadet and junior levels, South Africa and Djibouti believe the demise of Azeez Ogunlade has decimated the number of continental stars.
In a statement signed by the President of South Africa Table Tennis Board, Joe Carrim and made available to SportingLife, the board condoled with the President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi for the untimely exit of the young star.
“It is with deep sadness that the South Africa Table Tennis Board has received the news of the passing of Azeez Ogunlade, the junior player for the Nigerian national team. On behalf of the South Africa Table Tennis Board, kindly convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of Azeez Ogunlade. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” Carrim lamented.
Also, a former President of Djibouti Table Tennis Federation and an Executive Vice President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Farah Hassan Farah said: “This is a heart breaking news! ! It is shocking to hear it. On behalf of the Djiboutian federation, tennis table players, and specially my son Abdourazack, join me to present sincere sympathies to the Azeez family and Wahid Oshodi.”