By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Kaduna base home-grown and Nigeria Super Falcons star, Halimatu Ayinde, has described the demise of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Kaduna State Secretary, Malam Abdulrazak Usman (SEC) as heartbroken and a big loss to grassroots sport development in Kaduna State, the North and the nation at large.
This was contained in a statement by Halimatu Ayinde via WhatsApp Call from her club side, FC Rosengard Feminine of Sweden made available to her media team yesterday March 5, 2024 during a condolence visit to the family of the late pillar of sports, led by Grace John.
“The midfield queen who was a YSFON product and medalist of the KADA Games, Halimatu Ayinde, expressed her heartfelt sympathy over the demise of Malam Abdulrazak Usman, which sad event occured in the early hours of Monday March 4, 2024 at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika Zaria.
“His demise is like a soul killer in the area of grassroots sports development in the state,” the statement read.
Ayinde while wishing the deceased a peaceful journey back to the creator, prayed that Almighty Allah grants him Aljannah Firdaus and light in his grave.
“She extended heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, sports family in Kaduna State especially YSFON, as well as the state Ministry of Sports under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Prof. Benjamin Kumai-Gugong and people of the state,” it said.
She added that the National Organising Secretary of YSFON, Abdulrazak Usman has touched several lives while alive, contributing effortlessly to grassroots sports development not only in the state, but the entire country.
“His indispensable footprints has been crested on the sands of time with the talents he has groomed,” it continued.
Ayinde with tears in her eyes struggling to mutter words due to the sad news, described the deceased, “as a father figure to most Kaduna base athletes especially YSFON products Kada Queens’ to be precise.”
“I call him Daddy because he played a father figure in my life as a young girl growing up in Kaduna State with passion and dreams of playing football, with advice, mentoring and support.
“I pray his kind and good soul continue to rest in peace and pray God fill up the vacuum he left in the family,” she said.
