The driver Crown FC of Ogbomoso was buried on Friday after he was confirmed dead following a road accident with the travelling club’s vehicle on the way to Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, for the AFH Pre-Season Tournament.

Players and officials of the club who were involved in the road crash sustained varrying degrees of injuries.

The club’s Toyota Coaster bus reportedly collided with a trailer while the team was en route to Ebedei Stadium, the venue of the tournament.

The accident left the driver seriously injured, while some players and officials also sustained injuries and were taken for medical attention. However, Blueprint.ng subsequently gathered that the driver succumbed to his injuries. Further details about the circumstances surrounding the crash and the condition of the injured players and officials were not immediately available.

In an initial statement following the accident, Crown FC confirmed that the driver had sustained serious injuries, while some members of the travelling contingent were also injured. The club said efforts were underway to ensure that all those affected received prompt medical attention. The club had initially reported that no casualty had been recorded at the time of issuing the statement. However, subsequent information gathered by Blueprint.ng indicated that the driver later died from his injuries.

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NSC to NBBF: Close rank, work together 

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has called on the incoming executive committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to prioritise unity, inclusiveness and a clear vision for the sport.

Olopade made the call on Thursday during the NBBF Elective Congress in Abuja, stressing that persistent disagreements and internal divisions could undermine the development of Nigerian basketball. He urged the incoming board to adopt a different approach from the previous two administrations by fostering harmony, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the growth of the game.

He expressed hope that the new executive committee would usher in an era of unity and clarity of purpose, with stakeholders working together rather than allowing disagreements to derail the sport’s progress. Olopade also expressed disappointment over the absence of retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu at the Congress, arguing that his standing in international sports administration should have been sufficient reason to invite him to the gathering.

According to him, Ahmedu’s presence would have further strengthened the credibility of the Congress. The NSC chief insisted that the basketball community must embrace an all-inclusive approach to administration, noting that the exclusion of key stakeholders could undermine efforts to build confidence in the federation’s leadership.

His comments came amid concerns surrounding the NBBF electoral process and calls from some stakeholders for greater transparency and adherence to the federation’s governing regulations. Olopade, however, concluded his address by joining the Congress chairman in welcoming delegates and participants to the elective gathering.