Ekiti State Sports community are in a mourning mood over the untimely death of one of its major stakeholders, Olabayo Badmos, who died in a ghastly car accident last week Saturday in Ado- Ekiti.
The mood has been grim and the sombre atmosphere has continued to draw not a few tears from the eyes of many in the sports community.
Reacting to the shock demise of the late 33 years old businessman and sports promoter, head coach of Ekiti State basketball teams, Adetayo Awojure stated that Badmos’ death is a big loss to Ekiti sports, particularly, the game of basketball that had been enjoying the immense contributions of the deceased to the development and growth of the sport in the state.
” In the few years that I have known the late Olabayo Badmos, I want to say that he was very instrumental to the development of the game of basketball in Ekiti State.
” He was the sponsor and financier of the state basketball league, as well as, the state male and female basketball teams to different national championships. Painfully, he won’t be here to continue the sponsorship of the annual basketball tournaments, ” Awojure lamented.
The late Badmos until his sudden death, was the Vice- Chairman of Ekiti State Basketball Association. Described as a man of many interesting parts, he was a co-owner of Ekiti based NLO team Phoenix Athletics Sports Club, as well as, being credited with leading other agents to sponsor the hugely successful maiden edition of Bet9ja Ekiti State Football League.
Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege, while regretting the sudden death the sports enthusiast and promoter of grassroots sports, lamented that Ekiti state football in particular, would sorely miss Badmos, for his unbridled passion for the development of youths and his desires to see them achieve their career dreams in sports.
” The death of Olabayo Badmos is very painful and a huge loss to the Ekiti State Sports community. We’re yet to come to terms with this rude shock. Ekiti FA will remain grateful for his immense contributions to the development of football in Ekiti State,” Olanlege remarked in an emotion laden tone.
” On behalf of the executive board of Ekiti FA and all the concerned stakeholders, I pray that God give his family, friends and associates, the fortitude and strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he prayed emotionally.
Late Olabayo Badmos who originally hailed from Ibadan, Oyo state, and who was married with a son, was also a member of the Ekiti State Golf Club.
Mr Olabayo Badmos which few of us call ‘Bro B’ he is the most generous and most industrious man I ever know, he never look down on anyone but give you courage and motivation to be a better person. He was like a big brother to me his sudden death feels like a sharp pain in our hearts, may almighty God bless and protect his family. Rest in peace sir