The body South East Sports gospel singers and promoters under the aegis of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, have openly displayed their eyes full of tear over the sudden death of Christian Obi, a former Nigeria junior International goalkeeper and Head Coach of Heartland of Owerri, who died Friday evening in a ghastly motor accident involving his club's bus at Umuna Okigwe, Imo State, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

In an emotion laden statement signed by the SWAN Vice President, South East, Ikem Asika, SWAN, Southeast Caucus extended its heartfelt condolences to the government and good people of Imo state over the death of Christian Obi, Coach of Heartland FC of Owerri.

The Vice President of SWAN Southeast Zone said this in a condolence message issued on behalf of the five chapters in the Caucus on Saturday.

Coach Christian Azubike Obi died on Friday in a vehicular road accident in Okigwe while leading his team to Abakaliki, Ebonyi state for a preseason tournament.

Asika described Obi's death as 'sudden' and 'tragic', adding that 'it was a huge loss to the football community in particular and sports world in general', as the 'deceased still had a lot to contribute to the growth and development of the round leather game'.

He said Obi, an Olympian, was a 'successful goalkeeper', a 'consummate  coach' and 'cerebral personality' who led his life in service of others.

According to the Vice President, "it is with a heavy heart that we received the sad news of the death of Coach Obi".

“His death is quite unfortunate, coming at a time when Heartland FC just received a new lease of life and is ready to begin anew in their continued quest for glory in the NPFL

 “On behalf of five state chapters of SWAN in the Southeast, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Christian Obi, Staff and management of Heartland FC, the good people of Imo state and Gov. Hope Uzodimma on this irreparable loss.

“We pray that God will grant Obi's soul eternal rest and grive the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss just as we pray that such does not befall us again," he said