AFN condoles with Morocco over death of athletes

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Monday condoled with the Moroccan Athletics Federation on the death of its 33 athletes who were killed in a bus crash on April 10.

The condolence is contained in an email by Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, AFN Technical Director and member, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Technical and Competitions Commission.

The AFN condolence was addressed to the President of the Moroccan Athletics Federation and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

“I am shocked by the sad news of the fatal accident involving a good number of your athletes and officials that resulted in several deaths.

“It is a tragedy not only to your country but to the whole of Africa.

“I therefore, wish on behalf of the Athletics family in Nigeria, ‎to offer our deepest condolences to the Moroccan Athletics Federation.

“It is our prayer that God would repose their souls,’’ the statement quoted Nesiama as saying.

A bus carrying a delegation of young Moroccan athletes collided with a petrol tanker resulting in the death of the athletes.

No fewer than 9 persons were injured after the tanker exploded and spread fire.

According to Morocco’s Ministry of Sport, the fatal accident occurred along the road between the capital, Rabat and Laayoune.

Moroccan media had said the young athletes were school students participating in a national sports competition.

They were said to have gone to the competition to represent their schools.

The athletes were on their way back when their bus collided with the petrol tanker.