ATHLETICS Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Presidential aspirant, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, hhas extended his condolences to the government and people of Kano State over the tragic loss of 22 athletes who represented the state at the just-ended National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Ikpokpo described their death as a very sad loss of promising sportsmen and women at a time the national sports ecosystem is being rejigged for the good of athletes in the country.
Tragedy struck few kilometres to their destination on Saturday morning when the bus conveying the athletes from Abeokuta skidded off a bridge, resulting in many injuries and fatalities.
“The tragedy is such that one initially found unbelievable. It took me time to come to terms with the enormity of the tragic outcome,” Ikpokpo lamented.
“Those were a crop of future faces of national athletes that got cut short in their prime.”
Ikpokpo described the late athletes as young talents who are heroes for representing their state and nation.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead athletes and enjoined their immediate families, friends and colleagues to find the strength to endure the difficult times.
“Allah knows best why this tragedy occured and we are not in a position to question our maker that gives life,” Ikpokpo added on a philosophical note.