The Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria (SCAN) has extended support to the families of the 22 Kano athletes who lost their lives in a tragic accident after participating in the 2025 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
The Independent Mirror reports that the Association donated ₦25,000 to each of the bereaved families during a special event held on Thursday in Kano.
SCAN President, Coach Gabriel Opuana, described the gesture as a first step toward supporting the affected families and expressed hope that more contributions would come from sports stakeholders and athletes in the future.
Coach Opuana, who was represented by the Association’s Assistant Secretary, Coach Wilson Idanwekhai, presented the cash donation.
He also commended parents for allowing their children to pursue careers 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 families, expressed appreciation for SCAN’s gesture and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for their support during and after the incident.
He also thanked the Kano State Government for its ongoing plan to rename the Karfi Sports Institute in honour of the fallen athletes.
Dignnitaries present at the event included former Kano Pillars Basketball Coach, Sani Ahmad, and the FRSC Sector Commander in Kano State, CC Idris M. Lawal, who was represented by Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) Nasiru Alhaji Gogo, among others.
It will be recalled that the 22 athletes from the Kano contingent were confirmed dead following a fatal motor accident at Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano while returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
