The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has asked the Kano State government to immortalise 22 athletes who died in a road accident this year, suggesting that sports facilities be named after them.
SWAN made the call in a statement after the fatal crash claimed the lives of the young sportspeople. The association did not specify the exact date of the accident or which sporting discipline the athletes represented, but said their deaths were a significant loss to Nigerian sports.
The association suggested that naming facilities after the deceased would serve as a lasting tribute and keep their memory alive in the sporting community. Such gestures, SWAN said, would also inspire younger athletes and remind the public of the sacrifices made by those in sport.
Kano State has numerous sports facilities, including the Kano Pillars Football Club stadium and various athletic grounds. SWAN's proposal would require the state government to formally adopt one or more of these venues and dedicate them to the memory of the 22 athletes.
The call comes as Nigerian sports bodies continue to grapple with safety concerns during sporting events and the transportation of athletes across the country. Road accidents involving sports teams have been a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, claiming many lives over the years.
SWAN did not specify a timeline for the government's action, but the association is expected to formally present its proposal to Kano State officials in the coming weeks. The state government has not yet responded to the call.
