A report by Kabir Adeniyi detailed a tragic road accident on Saturday in Nigeria, where at least 21 Kano State athletes lost their lives.
According to an official, the athletes were on a bus returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, when the vehicle lost control and fell off a bridge in the Kura Local Government Area.
The bus was carrying 35 passengers, primarily athletes and officials from Kano State, and the fatal accident occurred before they reached their final destination.
Umar Faggie, the chairman of the state’s sports commission, confirmed to Anadolu via telephone that “the athletes were traveling in a Kano State Sports Commission bus when it flipped off the bridge.”
The survivors of this devastating road mishap were promptly transported to a hospital to receive urgent medical treatment.
Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar conveyed his “deep sorrow” regarding the athletes’ deaths in a post on his X account, referring to the victims as “the very best of our nation, dedicated, talented, and full of promise.”
He stated he was “heartbroken by news of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 21 Kano State athletes returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.”
The National Sports Festival (NSF) is a significant multi-sport event in Nigeria that draws athletes from various states, promoting national unity, athletic development, and the pursuit of excellence in sports like athletics, football, basketball, and volleyball.
