Nigerian international referee Razaq ‘Slim’ Okedeyi has passed away following a battle with acute malaria in Lagos, Nigeria. The 31 year old FIBA-accredited referee complained of a headache in the early hours of Thursday before requesting to be taken to the hospital. Unfortunately Slim gave up the ghost on the way and was confirmed dead on arrival.
Razaq embarked oh his first continental assignment last December at the FIBA Africa Women’s Champions Cup held in Cairo, Egypt where he was hailed to have performed excellently. According to FIBA Referees supervisor Vitalis Gode who was in charge of match officials at the event “His potential as an international referee was evident in his zeal to learn and acceptance of critique. It is very heartbreaking news.”
Tributes from far and wide, including international colleagues, The International Basketball Federation, Nigerian Basketball Federation and other game lovers on social media have been pouring in for one of Nigeria’s most promising sportsman in basketball.
Rest in Peace, Slim!
