Ogba condoles with Kenya over former world champion’s death

The Local Organizing Committee, LOC for the recently concluded 21stAfrican Senior Athletics Championships, have expressed deep shock at the news of the sudden death of Kenyan athlete, Nicholas Kiplagat Bett.
Bett passed away on Wednesday morning, a day after returning from Asaba,Delta State where he and his colleagues did Kenya proud to emerge as theoverall champions at the continent’s flagship athletics event; a feat theEast African country last achieved over three decades ago.
In a statement issued by Olukayode Thomas, Head Media and Publicity forAsaba 2018, the LOC Chairman, Solomon Ogba said the sudden demise of Bettwas a big blow not just to Kenya but to the rest of Africa.
“We were deeply touched when we heard the news of Bett’s death onWednesday,” Ogba began.
“Coming at a time when the athletics family in Kenya are still celebratingtheir heroic performance in Asaba, it is painful that the former worldchampion is no longer around to savour this magic moment with the rest ofhis colleagues.” The LOC boss added.
While Ogba is condoling with the athletics family in Africa, he advisedthat the legacies of Bett must be sustained and the former world championmust be immortalized.
“He was a great son of Kenya and Africa, so I expect that his legaciesmust be well protected, I pray for his family and his loved ones to havethe strength to bear this irreparable loss” Ogba concluded.
According to Nandi police commander Patrick Wambani, Bett died on the spotafter the car he was driving veered off the road and landed in a ditchnear Lessos along Eldoret-Kapsabet road on Wednesday morning.
The 28-year-old former world champion was the first Kenyan ever to win aWorlds gold in hurdles after his magnificent run in Beijing 2015Championships.