Oyo SWAN (Sports Writers Association of Nigeria) has condoled with the state branch of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and the football fraternity over the sudden death of two referees at the weekend.
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The two deceased referees were Rafiu Kazeem Opeyemi and Ibikunle Abiodun.
Rafiu Kazeem Opeyemi, who was a member of the Ona Ara Referees Society, lost his life on Saturday in a fatal auto accident in Osu, Osun state, while returning from Abuja where he had participated in a national fitness test, while Ibikunle Abiodun from Akinyele Referees Society died earlier on Friday following an illness.
In a condolence message signed by the Association’s Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu, and released by its Secretary, Adewale Tijani, Oyo SWAN commiserated with the families of the departed referees as well as the leadership of the NRA and State Football Association over the untimely death of the two referees.
Describing last weekend as a black one for the football fraternity in the Pacesetter State, the Association of sports journalists in the state said the death of the two promising referees is a colossal loss to the round leather game in the state and Nigeria.
Oyo SWAN called on the NRA and sports administrators in the state to immortalize the two departed referees for future generations to know their contributions to the development of the game in the state.
The Association prayed for the families of the deceased to be given the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses their deaths signify.
Oyo SWAN also prayed for the speedy recovery of two other referees who sustained injuries in the fatal accident which claimed the life of Mr. Rafiu Kazeem Opeyemi last Saturday, Mr. Segun Oni, and Mr. Ajadi Odunayo.
It further seeks divine protection for the two surviving referees and other members of the football family in the state and country.
