AFN President mourns Coach Momoh, says it’s a sad loss to athletics
By Uzor Odigbo
The AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has learnt with great sadness of the passing of former national athIetics coach Harrison Momoh.
Harrison Momoh died in the early hours of Saturday, the 1st of March, in Ilorin, Kwara State, North-Central, Nigeria.
AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has led the athletics fraternity in mourning Momoh.
“I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Harrison Momoh,” the AFN President said.
“To the athletics fraternity, Harrison Momoh who helped raise top athIetes in the past is not just a coach but a true friend and a very patriotic Nigerian.
“Through his knowledge, Momoh set the pace for the development of Nigeria athletics by giving his time and resources to the sport we all love.”
Momoh discovered and groomed a good number of Nigerian elite athletes back in the golden era of Nigerian track and field; and at various times he coached the Nigerian team at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and African Games.
Some of the athletes he groomed include, Late Sunday Bada, Olapade Adenekan, Olu Sule,Taiwo and Kehinde Aladefa, Omotayo and Omolade Akinremi, Bisi Afolabi,Airat Bakare, Angela Atede, Saidat Onauga and many others.
Momoh aged 83, retired from active coaching 15 years ago.
“We shall always remember Harrison Momoh as a humble, patriotic, wise and passionate athletics enthusiast and a coach who dedicated his life to raising the standards of athIetics in Nigeria and sports in general.
“May God Almighty touch and sustain the bereaved family during this period of grief and may the soul of Harrison Momoh, rest in eternal peace,” said Okowa.
