KANO — Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has renamed two prominent sports institutions to immortalize the 22 athletes who tragically lost their lives in a road crash while returning from the National Sports Festival in May 2025.
The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday, signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammed, emphasizing the state government’s enduring commitment to honouring the legacy of the fallen athletes.
The accident, which claimed 22 lives, occurred just 5 kilometers from Kano, as the state’s contingent was making its way back from Ogun State, where the festival was held.
“The athletes made Kano proud. They are our heroes, and we will remember them for their sacrifices toward the growth of sports in the state,” Governor Yusuf stated.
Renamed Institutions
To honour their memory, the governor announced the renaming of the following institutions:
- Kano State Sports Institute is now Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Institute.
- Kano State Sports Commission is now Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Commission.
Support for Families
Governor Yusuf further announced a series of supportive measures for the bereaved families, including:
- Educational scholarships for the children of the deceased.
- Empowerment programs for widows of the athletes.
- Inclusion of the parents of the unmarried victims in state-led welfare and empowerment plans.
“Their deaths are a great loss, but their bravery and dedication must not be forgotten,” Yusuf emphasized.
Acknowledgement of Federal Support
The governor also commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her gesture of solidarity, following her ₦110 million donation to the families of the deceased to help ease the burden of their loss.
