LUANDA - It is with sadness that FIBA Africa learned of the death of Angola veteran journalist Antonio Ferreira Gonçalves at the age of 60.

Gonçalves - also known as Aleluia -  passed away Thursday, 4th June in a Lisbon hospital, after months battling health issues.

Over his 40 years of journalism, Aleluia dedicated many years of his profession to the basketball cause, having attended countless FIBA continental and world tournaments.

Antonio Ferreira is seen here during an interview with former Angola international Herlander Coimbra (FIBA AfroBasket 2015)

While receiving treatment in the Portuguese capital, Aleluia remained active, writing about basketball for "Jornal Angola".

As well as serving as President of the Angolan Sports Press Association, Aleluia was also a member of the Executive Committee of Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS Africa). 

Antonio Ferreira (third from left) during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Japan

AIPS Africa president Mitchell Obi has paid a touching tribute to Clara:  "At the instance of AIPS Africa we share the grief of our colleagues in Angola and we register our deep sympathy to his family and friends.

"A really sad day for the Africa sports press. Antonio [Gonçalves] was more than one of us. We cherish him and he showed his passion and love for the progress of sports journalism in the continent. In the face of a prolonged sickness he fought and kept faith like a knight in a tournament, never making any excuses and kept on his tasks with a missionary zeal."

"He was the voice from the lusophone zone that helped to keep our balance and on any day it was difficult to ignore his willingness to serve and his fervour for professionalism."

 He leaves behind a wife and three children. His funeral will be announced shortly.

FIBA