The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung has commiserated with the family of the first Nigerian goalkeeper, Sam Ibiam who died on Wednesday at the age of 91.

Solomon Dalung

The Honourable Minister also sympathized with the football governing body in Nigeria, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the football family in Nigeria on the death of the legend.

“Though, Pa Ibiam died at the ripe age of 91, it is always painful when we lose people that we love irrespective of their age. I sympathize with his immediate family, the NFF and members of the football family. He has left a huge vacuum that cannot be filled” said Dalung.

Ibiam, the first Nigerian national team goalkeeper was born in 1925 in Ebonyi State. He was the goalkeeper the Nigerian team that was selected for a tour of the United Kingdom, popularly called the UKTourists in 1949.

Barr Dalung urged the new generation of footballers and athletes generally to emulate the sterling qualities of Ibiam and other players of his generation and always give their best for Nigeria.