President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has described the death of the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ifedayo Akindoju, as a major blow to the country’s sports community.

Mr Gumel stated this on Saturday in a statement issued on his behalf by the Public Relations Officer of the NOC, Tony Nezianya. 

He said, “Akundoju’s death is a major blow to the nation’s sports community; we extended our heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian sporting fraternity.”

Until his death, Mr Akindoju was a member of the Nigeria Olympic Movement, a sports administrator par excellence, and a significant figure in both Nigerian and African tennis.

He served as oresident of the NTF, a position where he was renowned for his dedication, passion and vision for developing the sport.

Mr Gumel said that the late Akindoju’s influence extended across the continent, as he also served as the treasurer of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT).

He stated, “His death is a huge loss, not only to the tennis family he left behind but to the entire Olympic Movement and the sport of arm wrestling, which he was also closely associated with. I pray that the Almighty God forgives his transgressions here on earth and admits his soul into paradise, while granting his family and all who miss him the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

He said that the late Akindoju’s leadership was further demonstrated through his roles as a member of the executive board of the NOC, chairman of the Committee for the Nigeria House Project for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and oresident of the Abuja Country Club.

“His tenure at the NTF was characterised by a strong focus on grassroots development, with the goal of producing the next generation of world-class Nigerian tennis players. He was personally involved in sponsoring events, including the annual VEMP Open tennis championship, and his company, Dayak Nigeria Limited, was noted for bankrolling tournaments to provide players and officials with international exposure,” Mr Gumel said.

The NOC said the committee would await further directive from late Akindoju’s family to announce the funeral plans.

(NAN)