The Kano State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has appealed to the state government to immortalise the 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic road accident while returning from the 2025 Gateway Games in Ogun State.
The appeal was made in a statement issued by the association’s secretary, Muhammad Nur-Tijani, to mark the first anniversary of the incident.
According to SWAN, the state should consider naming an existing sports facility after the deceased athletes or constructing a new one in their memory as a lasting tribute to their contributions to sports development in Kano.
The association noted that such a gesture would not only preserve the legacy of the fallen athletes but also serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing future sporting talents.
Describing the deaths as a painful loss to Kano’s sporting community, SWAN stressed the need for meaningful initiatives that would keep the athletes’ memories alive for generations.
The group also urged the government to invest more in grassroots sports development and upgrade sporting infrastructure across the state to support emerging talents.
In addition, SWAN encouraged athletes, coaches and sports enthusiasts to continue remembering the deceased through prayers and memorial competitions, saying such activities would celebrate their achievements and inspire upcoming athletes.
The association expressed hope that the sacrifices and dedication of the late athletes would continue to motivate excellence, discipline and commitment within the state’s sports sector.
The 22 athletes died on May 31, 2025, in a road accident a few kilometres from Kano while returning home from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.