NOC Mourns Yar’Adua

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Saturday described late President Umaru Yar’Adua as a passionate sports enthusiast, who believed that sports could contribute to world peace and harmony.

NOC spokesman Tony Nezianya said in a statement that the late Nigerian leader was aware of the importance of sports to “galvanise the world’s youths to overcome hunger, promote the values of humanity, peace and engender unity”.

Nezianya noted that Yar’Adua never ceased to reiterate the importance of sports, especially during the visits of world sports figures like Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President and Brazillian soccer legend, Pele.

“The passion generated by sports knows no bound because it has intrinsic values, too great for the world to easily comprehend,” the NOC spokesman quoted Yar’Adua to have said during Rogge’s visit to Aso Rock.

The statement said it was sad that Yar’Adua did not live to accomplish the blueprint for grassroots development he had promised to unfold.

“It is, however, our firm conviction that President Goodluck Jonathan who takes over as Grand Patron of the Olympic Movement in Nigeria will do more to ensure that sports continue to play positive role as an avenue for the development of the youth,’’ Nezianya added.

Meanwhile, the NOC has opened a condolence register at its secretariat at the National Stadium, Lagos.

NOC Secretary General, Olabanji Oladapo, said Yar’Adua’s love for sports was not limited to any particular sport.

‘You were very passionate about sports and your interest in sports demonstrated your love for the Nigerian youth and the fact that sports is a major unifying factor in this country,” Oladapo said in his entry in the register.