Chairman of Senate Committee on Privatisation and former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has condoled with African football lovers and the people of Cameroun over the death of former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji Issa Hayatou, who passed on age of 78 on Thursday.
Kalu acknowledged the leadership skills of the late football administrator, who he said would be missed by sports enthusiasts.
The former governor stressed that the renowned football administrator was a household name in the sports globally, having gone beyond heading the CAF as its president for 27 years to serving as Acting President of football’s world-ruling body FIFA for four months and 18 days (8th October 2015 – 26 February 2016), following the suspension of Sepp Blatter and prior to the election of Gianni Infantino.
Kalu said: ” The death of the former CAF president is saddening. My personal relationship with him deepened when Enyimba football club under my supervision as governor won the CAF champions league back to back and CAF Super Cup back to back. He was very instrumental towards deepening football in Africa.
“He was known for his uncommon skills, which earned his numerous honours and awards.
“The late Hayatou was indeed a notable figure in the sports industry. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, associates and football lovers across African region and beyond.”
Senator Kalu commiserated with the government and people of Cameroun and also prayed to God for the repose of Hayatou’s soul.
