•Makes donation, Demands Thorough Investigation
A powerful delegation from Kaduna State on Sunday June 1, 2025, visited Kano state to commiserate with the government and its people over the tragic demise of 22 members of the state’s delegation to the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “Gateway Games 2024”.
The delegation comprised of Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Professor Ben Gugong, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod and President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin.
Others are, Director of Sports Kaduna State, Malam Hassan Buba, sports administrator, Mr. Sunday Adeleye, Chairman North West Basketball Stakeholders, Yakubu Haladu, the Chairman of Kaduna SWAN, Shehu Abdullahi and SA Media to SWAN President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson.
Also on the delegation, were coaches and other SWAN members.
At the Kano State Government House, the Kaduna delegation was received by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdul Salam Gwarzo.
It would be recalled that the deceased had an accident 50 kilometres to Kano on their way back from the Gateway Games.
Speaking on behalf of the Kaduna delegation, President of NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod said that they were in Kano to commiserate with the Kano State Government, leading various delegations, including the Commissioner of Sports Kaduna State, Professor Ben Gugong, who is chairman of Sports Commissioner’s in Nigeria.
He said that it is a national tragedy and the pain affects all Nigerians.
“We couldn’t sleep yesterday because of the sad incidence. We however, leave everything in the hands of God, who knows the best.
“Kano is a leading State in sports in Nigeria. We know some of them personally and are grieved. We are here to represent all the sporting organizations in the North West Zone.
“May the good Lord bless the North and console the entire Nigeria over the sad incidence,” he said.
He announced a donation of N500,000 to support treatment of the injured athletes.
The Director of Sports Kaduna State, Malam Hassan offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased on behalf of the delegation.
Also praying, the Chairman Basketball Stakeholders in Nigeria, Malam Yakubu Haladu prayed for God to grant the Kano State Government and families of all the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Kano State thanked all that were on the delegation for the visit and prayers for the deceased.
“22 of them coming from national assignment list their lives instantky. Nine of them sustained various degrees of injuries they are at the hospital receiving treatment.
“We have just received a delegation from Ogun State, led by the Deputy Governor and the SSG. That is demonstrating brotherly feeling, show of concern and sympathy.
“We were here in the office, when we were closing, we learnt to were here. Most of the deceased were buried late yesterday. Here you are already this morning. Thank you for coming and for your very kind words and support. Our gratitude to all your colleagues whom you are representing here.
“Let’s continue to pray for the reposed of the deceased and to pray for the families to have fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Once again thank you for coming,cwe pray that God will take you home safely,” he prayed.
In an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the visit, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident
He further demanded that henceforth, the welfare of athletes attending such national events should be given maximum priority by respective state governments.
“ It is really sad that athletes will be subjected to 24 or 48 hours travel by road when they are going to compete to win laurels for their states. We see officials of the various sports ministries flying by aye, while the athletes travel on roads which are sometimes bad,” he lamented.
The delegation also visited former NFA President, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima who is recuperating in the hospital, as well as a condolence visit on Coach Salisu Musa Jengus, whose son, Bilal, a sports journalist, died in the tragic Gateway Games contingent accident.
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