It was a gloomy day for Team Imo, as a member of their contingent, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, passed away on Tuesday. Igboanugo, a boxer, was in the ring against Prince Gaby Amagor from Anambra in the 86kg category bout when he slumped after receiving a blow to the chin, which he failed to recover from.
The referee had to end the match after Igboanugo, failed to recover and awarded his opponent victory before he was rushed to receive medical attention before being rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
While confirming the death of the boxer, Delta State Commissioner for Information Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who also doubles as Media and Publicity chair of the Festival, said the cause of death has not been ascertained by the doctors.
According to Aniagwu, “You cannot say exactly what led to the death until an autopsy is carried out and the report known. It is unfortunate that such happened to one of the participants” he said.
Meanwhile, the mood at the camp of lmo state contingent looked suppressed owing to the calamity but the athletes have vowed to make sure they put the news of the untimely death behind them.
One of the table tennis players who craved anonymity said the news came to them as a rude shock, considering that the boxer was an easy going man.
“He came with the intention to win gold but the unexpected has happened. We lost him but we will not allow that to weaken our spirit. We shall continue to pray for his soul and talk to our state government to assist the family considering that he died when representing the state”
