By Yusuf A. Yusuf Giginyu
The Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria (SCAN), has extended its support to the families of the 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic accident after participating in the 2025 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
The Association donated N25,000 to each of the deceased family.
The SCAN president Coach Gabriel Opuana who was represented by the Assistant Secretary of the association, Coach Wilson Idanwekhai presented the donations in cash.
Speaking at the event, Coach Wilson described the gesture of the Association as a first step toward supporting the bereaved families, and expressed hope that more contributions would come from sports stakeholders and athletes in future.
He also commended parents for allowing their children to pursue a career in sports, despite the risks and challenges involved.
On his part, the Chairman of the Kano State 22 athletes victims family committee, Abdullahi B Bello on behalf of the victims families, expressed appreciation for the SCAN’s gesture and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for their support during and after the incident.
He also thanked Kano State Government for its ongoing plan to rename the Karfi Sports Institute after the fallen athletes.
Dignitaries present at the event included the former Kano Pillars basketball team Coach Sani Ahmad and the FRSC Sector Commander in Kano State, CC Idris M. Lawal represented by Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) Nasiru Alhaji Gogo among others.
