Abuja (Nigeria): Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), has described the death of Ifedayo Akindoju, the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), as a significant blow to the country’s sports community.
Gumel communicated this on Saturday in a statement issued on his behalf by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the NOC.
“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, Akindoju was a member of the Nigerian Olympic Movement, a sports administrator par excellence, and a significant figure in both Nigerian and African tennis.
He served as President of the NTF, a position for which he was renowned for his dedication, passion, and vision in developing the sport.
Gumel said that Akindoju’s influence extended across the continent, as he also served as the Treasurer of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT).
“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 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 President of the Abuja Country Club.
“A strong focus on grassroots development characterised his tenure at the NTF to produce 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,” Gumel said.
The NOC stated that the committee would await further directives from Akindoju’s family to announce the funeral plan.