Nigeria's Pillar of Sports Mourns Dead 20 Kano athletes returning from Gateway Games Involved in auto crash.

The Nigeria's Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP has mourned the death of about 20 Kano State athletes, who were involved in an auto crash, in the early hours of Saturday, while returning home, from the just-concluded National Sports Festival - Gateway 2024, in Abeokuta.

This was contained in Press Release signed by the Chairman, Office of the Nigeria's Pillar of Sports (ONPS), Prince Ajide Olayioye on Saturday, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. No fewer than 20 athletes, reportedly fared dead, as the state’s contingents to the just-concluded National Sports Festival tagged Gateway 2024 who were returning home, got involved in an auto accident.

The Kano State’s Sports Commission Chairman, Umar Faggie, confirmed that the accident occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura LGA of the state, according to newspaper reports. The athletes traveled in a bus branded "Kano State Sports Commission" and the vehicle reportedly flipped off the bridge.

Those who survived the crash have, reportedly, been taken to Kura General Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Ejidike describes the accident as a national tragedy, as those athletes who lost their lives were potential champions, that could win medals for the country, in the nearest future.

The Anambra-born Sports philanthropist, while praying for the repose of the soul of the departed athletes, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying that the Almighty Allah grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Ejidike who is also the patron of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club wishes those who survived the ghastly accident, a very quick recovery.

The former President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) equally commiserated with critical stakeholders in the Nigerian sporting community, especially, the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Umar Fagge; the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that, the loss that their deaths represent for the nation cannot be qualified.