Kano has renamed two sports institutions to honor 22 athletes killed in a tragic accident.
Governor Yusuf says the move preserves their legacy and inspires future generations in sports.
In a solemn tribute to the 22 athletes who tragically lost their lives in a road accident earlier this year, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced the renaming of two major sports institutions in their memory.
The governor announced a special ceremony held at the Government House in Kano, as reported by the BBC Hausa service on Sunday. He said the decision is part of the government’s efforts to immortalize the late athletes who died while returning from a national sports competition in May 2025.
Institutions renamed in honor of the fallen athletes
The Kano State Sports Institute will now be known as the Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Institute, while the Kano Sports Commission has been renamed the Kano State 22 Athletes Sports Commission.
“These athletes brought pride to Kano, and it is fitting that we remember them forever,” Governor Yusuf said. “We won’t forget their sacrifices for the state.”
The heartfelt gesture is intended not only to honor the memory of the deceased athletes but also to serve as a lasting symbol of their contribution to sports development in the state.
The fatal crash, which occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway, claimed the lives of mostly young, aspiring athletes who had represented Kano at a national sports meet. The tragedy drew widespread mourning and triggered an outpouring of grief across the state and beyond, with both officials and citizens expressing deep sorrow over the incident.
In the days following the accident, Governor Yusuf pledged to support the victims’ families and take steps to ensure their legacies are preserved. Sunday’s renaming ceremony is the latest in a series of state-led commemorative initiatives.
Governor Yusuf has made youth empowerment and sports development a core part of his administration’s agenda. Renaming the sports bodies is seen as both a symbolic and strategic move, honoring the past while encouraging future generations of athletes.
The governor’s decision has been praised by sports advocates and community leaders as a meaningful gesture that upholds the values of commitment, resilience, and service to one’s state.
