Hours after celebrating the end of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) held in Abeokuta, Ogun state, tragedy struck, snatching away at least 19 people including young athletes, a journalist and officials from Kano state in a deadly road crash that has plunged Nigeria’s sporting community into sorrow.
The victims of the crash had just represented Kano with pride in Abeokuta, and were returning home when their bus conveying 30 athletes from the venue of the sports festival, veered off the Dakatsalle bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano state.
The NSF came to an end on Thursday with a closing ceremony to celebrate the young athletes who participated in the sporting events across Nigeria. The Kano state team had finished 13th on the medal table, having secured 6 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze medals before the tragedy struck, sending shockwaves and dampening the celebrations that marked the close of the event.
Confirming the accident, the Chairman of Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge said 19 dead bodies had been counted at the time he was reached.
However, the state Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) could not ascertain the number of casualties at the time of filing this report.
The corps spokesperson, Abdullahi Labaran said, “We just received the report of the accident, so, I cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at the moment.”
Meanwhile, those who sustained injuries were transported to Kura General Hospital in Kano state.
Kano Govt. mourns
The Kano State government commiserates with the athletes of the National Sports Festival 2024, the families of the victims and the officials.
In a heartfelt statement on Saturday, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Kwankwaso described the incident as a “mourning for the entire state”.
He commended the effort of the first responders and medical personnel attending to the victims.
“This is a deeply painful moment for all of us. We are devastated by the news of the ghastly accident that occurred as our athletes were returning home after representing our great state with pride and commitment.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire sporting community in Kano,” Mr Kwankwaso stated.
I’m traumatised – Ogun Governor
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has said that he is traumatised by the death of some of the Kano contingent.
Mr Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday, said the incident had left him completely traumatised.
He described the athletes as vibrant young individuals who had proudly donned the colours of Kano state at the just-concluded sports festival, and were looking forward to a warm reception from their families and fans.
While condoling with the government and people of Kano State over the incident, Mr Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the athletes, describing them as heroes whose patriotism and dedication to the cause of Kano State and Nigeria would never be forgotten.
“This is so painful. These were young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talents, skills, and creativity. In particular, it is tragic that their beloved family members who were looking forward to receiving them after a memorable outing at the National Sports Festival will never get to see their beautiful faces again.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible hour. We are deeply saddened by this incident, and we pray that Almighty Allah grant them eternal rest,” he said, while he commiserate with Governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf, and his cabinet; the chairman of the Kano state Sports Commission, and the people of Kano state over this most tragic and unfortunate incident.