The President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Ocheho and President of Track And Field Athletes Commission of Nigeria, Sunday Adeleye has expressed shock on death of former Nigeria International, Olajide Fashikun.
Fashikun, who was also a renowned journalist died on Sunday morning at the Federal Medical Center, Abuja after a brief ailment.
President of the HFN, Samuel Ocheho describes Fashikun as a dedicated and fine gentleman who did everything to help grow the sport of handball and other sports in the country.
He commiserates with the family of the late Fashikun who as a teenager was the youngest player in Nigeria handball men national team that won the Africa Nations Cup in 1979.
“He is a big loss to the handball family and we will greatly miss his important contribution to the growth of the sport and its resurgence in the country.
“He was the youngest player when Nigeria handball team attended the Nations Cup in 1979 in Lagos which we won and also played handball in Nigeria for Niger United of Minna in 1983 before his move to Zamalek in 1987”, Ocheho said.
He said, “After he recovered from injury, he captained Team Nigeria handball to the 1991 Africa Games in Cairo”.
Also speaking, Sunday Adeleye said, “On behalf of Track and Field Athletes Comission of Nigeria, I commiserate with the family of our beloved brother, father, uncle, Olajide Fashekun.
“Until his demise he was among others a sport journalist that contributed greatly to the development of sports in Nigeria.
“Fortunately, Fashikun was with the two Ezinwa brothers including Abdullahi Tetengi where they won gold for Bauchi in the 4×100 meters. May the Lord comfort all those who mourn, and particularly the deceased’s family and his close associates”.
Fashikun, born in Kaduna on September 14, 1965 was an all round sportsman as he played football, handball, volleyball and basketball professionally winning laurels in an illustrious career. He was also an accomplished athlete.
