Tragic, As Paralympics-Bound Nigerian Athlete Dies In Auto Crash

The entire Nigeria Paralympic Committee (PCN) family has been thrown into mourning mood following the sudden death of one of Nigeria’s medal hopefuls at the upcoming postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Abdulrafiu Bello who was involved in an auto crash on Thursday April 22, 2021.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Paralympic Committee, Isa Suleiman who disclosed this, said Abdulrafiu Bello, Africa’s number one Para-badminton player, met his untimely death, when, the vehicle he was travelling with while returning from Lagos where he went for an interview with the Spanish Embassy to procure visa for the last round of the Tokyo 2020 Para-badminton qualifiers slated for May 6, 2021 in Spain was involved in a ghastly motor accident that claimed his life.

Until his death, Bello was the Coach of Para-Badminton Association.

President of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria, Brig. Gen. Emico Eruwa (rtd.), said the news of Bello’s death came to him as rude shock, even at a time when the PCN Board is busy praying and strategise on how Nigeria will have a good outing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He described the death as a big loss to the country.

“Moreso when Bello is at the verge of winning laurels for Nigeria at the Games,” he said.

Eruwa prayed that the Almighty God should grant the late athlete a resting place in his bosom even as he pleads to God to grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.