Nigeria’s sporting community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of 19 members of the Kano State contingent who were returning home from the just-concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State. The victims, which included athletes, coaches, officials, and journalists, perished in a fatal road accident, marking what has now been described as a “black day for Nigerian sports.”

 

The devastating news has triggered an outpouring of grief across the country, with condolences pouring in from sports administrators, state governments, athletes, and fans.

 

In an emotional statement released this morning, Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the festival, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing the incident as a personal and national tragedy.

 

“It is with a heavy heart that I write this,” Olopade began. “The news of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 19 members of the Kano State contingent has left me deeply shaken and utterly devastated. As an administrator, a father, a brother, and a fellow Nigerian, I mourn alongside the families and the people of Kano.”

 

The National Sports Festival, which concluded just days ago in Ogun State under the theme “Gateway 2025,” had been celebrated as a successful celebration of unity, talent, and national pride. But the celebratory mood has been swiftly replaced with anguish and heartbreak.

 

“To wake up to this kind of news so soon after the festival is not just painful—it is tragic beyond words,” Olopade stated.

 

He praised the Kano contingent for their consistent presence and contribution to the festival over the years, calling them a source of strength and colour. The loss of these lives, he said, cuts across every level of the sports community in Nigeria.

 

The Director General extended his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Kano State, the families of the deceased, and all sports-loving Nigerians, especially those currently battling injuries from the crash.

 

“This is not just about policy. This is personal. I have initiated contact with the Kano State Government and offered my personal support in whatever way is needed,” Olopade said.

 

Beyond condolences, Olopade stressed the urgent need for a national reckoning on the safety of sports delegations traveling to and from competitions. He called for a collaborative effort among state sports councils, transport authorities, insurance firms, and safety agencies to establish new standards and protocols to prevent future tragedies.

 

“This tragedy has brought into sharp focus the need for us to be more deliberate and uncompromising about the safety and welfare of every participant in our national sporting events,” he emphasized. “We owe it to the lives lost to ensure that no athlete, no coach, no journalist, no sports lover ever suffers this kind of fate again in service to their state and country.”

 

The National Sports Commission has promised a full review of logistics and travel safety protocols in upcoming events, with plans to propose mandatory insurance coverage and regulated transportation frameworks for state contingents.

 

As news of the incident spreads, several prominent sports figures and institutions have joined in expressing grief. The Nigeria Olympic Committee, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and various sports federations have issued statements mourning the loss.

 

In Kano, the atmosphere is one of sorrow and disbelief. Vigils and prayer sessions are being held in honour of the deceased, as the state prepares for what will likely be a mass burial for some of its fallen heroes.

 

While investigations into the exact cause of the accident are still ongoing, initial reports suggest that the vehicle carrying the victims suffered a mechanical failure along a major highway, leading to a fatal crash.

 

As the nation grapples with the enormity of the loss, Olopade’s call for reform serves as a reminder that tragedy must never be in vain.

 

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” his statement concluded. “And may their legacy awaken a new era of responsibility, safety, and care in Nigerian sports.”