The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS) has expressed its deepest condolences to the Government of Kano State, the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the families of the athletes and officials who lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Saturday.
The founder of NAWIS, Prof. Florence Adeyanju, commiserated with the Kano State Government and families of the victims in a statement, describing the losses as a national tragedy.
“NAWIS is shocked to hear of this tragic incident. This is a colossal loss to not only Kano State but also the sporting fraternity. These young, talented athletes and officials represented their state in the National Sports Festival in Ogun State. NAWIS mourns their untimely death. We pray that God will comfort the Kano State Government, the good people of Kano State, the families of the deceased, and their teammates, as well as the National Sports Commission,” Professor Adeyanju stated.
She also extended the heartfelt condolences of NAWIS to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
The team had reportedly been on the road since Thursday night, immediately after the closing ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival, and was already at Gadar Yankifi (Yankifi bridge) in Garun Mallam Local Government Area of Kano-Kaduna road on Saturday when the incident occurred.
Eleven persons out of the thirty-two who boarded the Kano State government-owned coaster bus survived the accident.
NAWIS stands in solidarity with the affected families and the Kano State government during this difficult time.