Kano, June 1, 2026 — The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano State chapter, has called on the state government to immortalise the 22 athletes who died in a road crash while returning from the 2025 Ogun Gateway Games.
The appeal was made in a statement issued on Sunday in Kano by the association’s Secretary, Muhammad Nur-Tijani, to mark the first anniversary of the tragic incident.
SWAN suggested that a sports facility in the state could be named after the deceased athletes or that a new facility be established in their honour to help develop young talents and promote sporting excellence.
The association described the loss as a painful blow to the state’s sporting community, stressing the need to preserve the memory and contributions of the athletes.
It urged the Kano State Government to honour the deceased through lasting initiatives that would keep their legacy alive.
SWAN also called for stronger investment in grassroots sports development and improved sporting infrastructure across the state, noting that such efforts were vital for identifying and nurturing future talents.
It further encouraged sports stakeholders and enthusiasts to remember the athletes in prayers and organise memorial tournaments in their honour, saying such activities would help sustain their legacy in Kano sports.
The association added that the athletes should continue to inspire discipline, dedication, and excellence within the sporting community.
The 22 athletes reportedly lost their lives on May 31, 2025, a few kilometres outside Kano city while returning from the Ogun Gateway Games.