A candle light possession was yesterday, Friday March 7, 2025, held in honour of former Kwara and national athletics Coach, Coach Harrisson Obiajulu Momah, who died on Saturday March 1, 2025, after a protracted illness.
Leading the possession which took off inside the George Agbazika Innih Stadium through Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Otunola Adebayo Street to Stadium Road and back to the Stadium Complex, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji described the death as sad.
Mallam Magaji, who was represented by the Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako pledged that the Commission will stand by the family, even as he commended the family and the organisers, as well as the athletics family, for the honour done to the late coach.
“It’s a sad moment, and we are sober, considering the contributions of the late coach to athletics and sports in general. This candle light possession is part of the obligations we owe him. The Commission will stand by the family.
Late Momah helped raise top athIetes in the past, and wasn’t just a coach but a disciplinarian. He set the pace for the development of Nigeria athletics by giving his time and resources to the sport as well.
He 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 All Africa Games.
Late Momah’s selflessness and commitment to excellence not only brought honour to Kwara State and Nigeria, but also inspired countless young athletes to dream big and achieve greatness.
The Chairman of Kwara State Athletics Association, Alhaji Issa Ore, who spoke through the Vice Chairman, Kayode Afolabi said that late Coach Momah lived a good life as he had love around him.
Afolabi, who himself was one of the products of the deceased described him as a father to all, and a great motivator. Afolabi is the Chairman of NATO in Kwara State.
He called on interest groups and government to assist in giving him a befitting burial.
The daughter, Precious Momah, a 200 Level student of Performing Arts at the Kwara State University (KWASU) said she will strive to fulfil all the promises she made to her late dad even though she will miss his advice, care and love.
“I feel down. The most important person in my life has gone. To me, he had been the best dad ever. Even when he was sick, that caring attributes didn’t fade.
“He was always there for me, my sister Funke and our mother. He wanted me to go to Unilorin, because he said I will be far away from him at KWASU. He always wanted me around him”, she added.
Speaking for the family, the immediate brother to late Coach Momah, Ojore Benjamin Momah said that people really appreciated the tremendous contributions of the late coach to sports, with the support and attention the family has been receiving so far.
Other family members present at the possession are Eluojo Momah, Mrs. Obileye Momah and Roseline Adeosun.
Late Momah died at 83. He retired from coaching 15 years ago. The Coach was survived by two daughters and a wife.
The highly disciplined late trainer hailed from Ebu, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state, and served the national team for years.
