Players with certificates of participation in a football tournament organised to tribute to late Ambassador of Nigeria Dr Haruna Bawa-Abdullah Wase.
DOHA: It was a sombre and solemn atmosphere at Aspire Dome in Doha on Friday as members of Nigerian community in Qatar gathered to watch the final match of a football competition held to pay tribute to late Ambassador Dr Haruna Bawa-Abdullah Wase.
The competition, tagged Ambassador Dr. Haruna Wase Football Competition, was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Qatar (NIDO Qatar) in memory of the late ambassador who passed away in September, said a release.
The tournament was organised as a little appreciation to the great work the envoy did within his short time in office between October 2017 and September 2018.
Speaking at the event, NIDO Qatar President Ikoli Victor said the organisation would make the football competition an event to immortalise the ambassador.
“Late Dr Haruna did not only serve as ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar but also as a father to all Nigerians in this great country with his open-door policy and amiable approach to issues,” Ikoli said, while struggling to push back tears.
He said Ambassador Haruna simplified consular processes for the community and showed that ambassadorial position is an opportunity to serve fellow countrymen. Ikoli gave an example of the support the NIDO Qatar received from the late ambassador in bringing passport intervention team from Abu Dhabi in July this year.
He said the organisation cancelled the already planned activities to mark Nigerian Independence Day in Doha because the community was still mourning the departure of the envoy. NIDO Qatar Social Secretary Precious Omogiate, who anchored the event, described late Dr Haruna as an embodiment of humility and integrity.
He said plans have started to make the competition bigger to accommodate more teams from next year. The final match saw a keenly contested and emotionally charged game the ended goalless at the end of 60 minutes of play, leading to penalty shootouts.
The winning team beat it’s worthy opponent 5-4 in the penalty shootouts.The ambassador’s son Mohammad Haruna, supported by Consular at the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar Aliyu Mande presented medals, trophy, certificate of participation and a cash prize to the winners of the tournament.
The event, sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines, was attended by many dignitaries, representatives of foreign mission in Qatar and a large number of members of Nigerian and African communities in Qatar.Three lucky individuals won free return air tickets to Nigeria courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines.
