The President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr Ibrahim Abdul, has described the demise of coach Sunday Mathias as a tragic loss to the federation and Nigerian sports in general.
Sunday Mathias who hailed from Imo State, born on October 19, 1977died in the early hours of Sunday, November 17, after a brief illness.
He was the head coach of the Ondo State Weightlifting Association. He was also a former Olympian who represented Nigeria at the Sydney Olympic in 2000 as the only male among the five lifters at the Games.
He was a productive coach and nurtured athletes even at Commonwealth and Africa Games. He was very hardworking and was under the employment of the Ondo State Sports Council until his death.
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Dr Abdul said that his passing has created a great vacuum in weightlifting that would be difficult to fill.
“I received with rude shock the news of passing unto eternal glory of one of pour dedicated coaches, Coach Sunday Mathias. This is a sad tragedy not just to the weightlifting family but to Nigeria sports and all those who have come close to him.
“He was a very productive coach, represented Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and have produced athletes within his short life on earth who have represented the country at various continental and global competitions.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Weightlifting family, I want to express our deepest condolences to his wife and children whom he has left behind. It is our earnest prayer that God will accept his soul in heaven and take care of his family,” Dr Abdul said.
Mathias will be buried on Saturday in Ondo State.