The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation has extended condolences to the Kano State Government, athletes, officials and journalists who were involved in a road accident that claimed the lives of over 20 persons on their way back from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
The NWF President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Aladi in a press statement said the auto accident which cut short the lives of young athletes and officials, was a national disaster.
Dr Abdul described the accident as tragic and stressed that the toil and sacrifices of the dead athletes and officials must be recognised to show a good example to other sportsmen and women who may be encouraged or dissuaded by it.
He therefore enjoined Kano State Government to stay close to the bereaved families and asked the Federal Government to fix Nigerian roads to ensure they do not continue to be death traps to users – especially Sportsmen and women who ply the roads almost all the time in chase of glory for the country or their states.
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Dr Abdul Aladi beckoned on Kano Government to properly immortalise the dead athletes, officials and journalists and compensate their families since most of the athletes could be breadwinners for their families.
In the same vein, the President, Nigeria Vovinam Vietvodao Federation, Oluwadare Ojo Adelusi has sent his heartfelt commiseration to the families of all athletes and officials who lost their lives in the auto accident that claimed lives of Team Kano sports contingent who were returning from the Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival.
Adelusi in a press statement said the incident was a dark moment for Nigerian sports, considering the circumstances surrounding it as widely reported in the media.
He stressed that the incident called for a deeper reflection from all sport stakeholders in the country regarding prioritising the safety of sportsmen and women.
He also e called on the Federal Government to work on fixing the Nigerian roads to reduce fatality on it as a result of needless auto crash.
Nigeria Vovinam Vietvodao Federation President urged the Kano State government to stand by the surviving persons and provide necessary support to the families of the deceased including immortalising the deads.