Basketball figures across FIBA Africa Zone 3 are grieving the loss of Mr Idrissu Ayambire, the Zone’s Head of Competitions and Technical Council, who passed away on Thursday morning at his home in Accra, Ghana.
His passing has brought deep sorrow among fellow officials and administrators, especially because many had felt he was improving in health and was expected to resume his duties in basketball governance.
In a message of sympathy sent to Ghana Basketball Association President Alex Kukula, FIBA Africa Zone 3 President Col Sam Ahmedu (rtd) said the news had come as a major shock. He praised Ayambire’s commitment and the impact he made on the sport’s progress throughout the region.
“Idrissu’s death came as a rude shock to me. I was aware of his health difficulties and, as an organisation, we did everything possible to support him, but God knows best,” Ahmedu said.
Ahmedu remembered Ayambire as a man of strong principles, noting that his expertise, loyalty and advice had made him a highly valued member of the Zone’s basketball leadership.
“He was a principled person who helped the Zone develop through his work as a technical official. His wise advice will be greatly missed,” he said.
Ayambire’s service to basketball extended well beyond his administrative responsibilities. Having retired as a referee after officiating for many years, he moved into leadership roles and continued to serve the game with distinction. His subsequent work as a Match Commissioner and FIBA delegate demonstrated the confidence placed in his technical knowledge, experience and understanding of basketball.
In his role as Head of Competitions and Technical Council, he was central to the technical organisation and oversight of basketball events throughout the Zone.
A minute’s silence will be held in his memory before Thursday’s final at the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone 3 (FAZ3) African Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) Qualifiers. The gesture will allow players, officials and members of the wider basketball community to pay respect to a man who dedicated his life to the sport.
On behalf of the Zone’s board and its national federations, Ahmedu offered condolences to the Ghana Basketball Association and Ayambire’s mourning family. He prayed that Ayambire’s soul would rest in peace and that his relatives and loved ones would be given strength during their loss.
