Nigeria Weightlifting Federation mourns coach Sunday Mathias

The President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Dr Ibrahim Abdul has described the demise of coach Sunday Mathias as a tragic loss to the federation and Nigeria sports in general.

Amaechi Agbo, the media officer of the federation, says in media statement that Dr Abdul received Coach Mathias sad news on Sunday and said that his passing has created a great vacuum in weightlifting that would be difficult to fill.

Dr Abdul described the former Olympian as a productive coach who has produced wonderful athletes that have represented the country at continental and global competitions.

Coach Mathias Died on Sunday aged 57.

‘I received with rude shock the news of passing unto eternal glory of one of pour dedicated coaches, Coach Sunday Mathias. This is a sad tragedy not just to the weightlifting family but to Nigeria sports and all those who have come close to him.

‘He was a very productive coach, represented Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and have produced athletes within his short life on earth who have represented the country at various continental and global competitions.

‘On behalf of the Nigeria Weightlifting family, I want to express our deepest condolences to his wife and children whom he has left behind. It is our earnest prayer that God will accept his soul in heaven and take care of his family,’ Dr Abdul said.

Coach Sunday Mathias who hailed from Imo State, born on October 19, 19977died in the early hours of Sunday, November 17, 2024 after a brief illness.

He was the head coach of the Ondo State Weightlifting Association. He was also a former Olympian who represented Nigeria at the Sydney Olympic in 2000 as the only male among the five lifters at the Games.

He was a productive coach and nurtured athletes even at Commonwealth and Africa Games. He was very hardworking and was under the employment of the Ondo State Sports Council until his death.

He will be buried on Saturday in Ondo State.