The athletics family was on Tuesday thrown into mourning with the death of Sunday Bada, the Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Bada died at about 8.45 p.m in Lagos on Monday, during a brief illness.

Born on June 22, 1969 in Kwara State, he was a retired sprinter who specialised in the 400 metres event.

Some former national athletes expressed shock at the death of the Olympian in separate interviews with Tidesports in Lagos.

They described his demise as a great loss to the AFN and the country at large.

Yusuf Alli, former 1990 Auckland, New Zealand Commonwealth Games Long Jump champion, said the federation had lost a rare gem who had contributed a lot to the development of athletics.

“We were together till 8 p.m. yesterday (Monday) at the National Stadium when he said he wanted to go and pick up his wife at the airport.

“Before he left, his cousin said he didn’t like the way he was looking and that he should visit his doctor at Jibowu, Yaba,’’ the Olympian told NAN.

Alli said he learnt that when Bada got to Jibowu, his doctor also said he did not like the way he was looking and advised him to go to General Hospital, Ikeja.

“It was after this that he died, I am told,’’ he said, adding: “He died around 15 minutes to 9 p.m.”.

Henry Amike, also an Olympian, said he was also with Bada till about 8 p.m. before he left for the airport.

“I am so dumbfounded that I really cannot express myself; this is so shocking,” Amike said.

Reacting, Duro Ikhazuagbe, AFN Public Relations Officer, also described Bada’s death as shocking.

“I was surprised when I heard the news; he looked so healthy to me and so full of life when we met last,” he said.

Ikhazuagbe said the federation would work with his family to know the next line of action for his burial.

Bada’s competition record shows that in 1995 he was first in 200 metres and second in 400 metres at the All Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Also in 1995 he was part of the country’s relay team that secured the third position at the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In 1997, Bada was first in 400 metres at the World Indoor Championships in Paris, France and at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia he was in the country’s team that won silver in 4×400 metres relay.

In 1990 he placed third in both 200 and 400 metres at the African Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

He was second in the 400 metres at All Africa Games in Cairo, Egypt in 1991 and at the 1993 World Indoor Championships, Toronto, Canada he placed second in 400 metres.

Bada also held the 400 metres bronze medal of the 1994 Victoria, Canada Commonwealth Games.

Until his death he was serving in the Nigeria Police Force.