The damaged bus conveying Kano athletes and officials returning from Gateway Games
Kano state government has declared Monday a public holiday in the state to “sympathise” with the families of the athletes who died while returning from the National Sports Festival (NSF).
Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the media aide to Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano, announced the directive in a statement on Sunday.
On Saturday, 22 athletes who represented Kano at the just-concluded NSF died after their team’s bus was involved in an accident.
The vehicle the victims were in flipped off the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura LGA of the state. Several others were injured in the accident.
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Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased athletes.
He assured that all necessary efforts are being made to support the victims and their families.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” the governor said.
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“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief.”
The 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun from May 18 to 30. Kano finished 13th on the medals table with 29 medals, including six gold.
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