LAGOS (Nigeria) - FIBA international referee Rasaq Okedeyi from Nigeria has passed away today following a battle with acute malaria in the Nigerian city of Lagos. 

Okedeyi, who would have turned 32 in September, complained of a headache on Thursday morning and requested his family to take him to hospital but unfortunately, he breathed his last on the way and was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. 

“I CALLED HIM EARLIER THIS MORNING AND WHEN HE DID NOT PICK, I DECIDED THAT I WOULD CALL HIM IN THE AFTERNOON BECAUSE MAYBE HE WAS BUSY. WE WERE PREPARING MATERIAL FOR A COACHES' WEBINAR COURSE SO THAT WE MAKE A GOOD PRESENTATION FOR THEM. HE WAS WORKING ON ONE PART AND I WAS WORKING ON THE OTHER. THIS IS A VERY SAD MOMENT. UNBELIEVABLE. I AM SPEECHLESS.”- Ojeaburu

Okedeyi officiated at the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup last December in Cairo, Egypt where he performed very well for a debutant making it to the big stage of African basketball. It was his first continental assignment where he left a big mark. 

FIBA Referees Supervisor Vitalis Gode, who was in charge of the match officials at the event told FIBA.basketball that, "He was always in a jovial communication mood and showed high-level respect to all. His potential as an international referee was evident in his zeal to learn and acceptance of critique. It is very heartbreaking news."

 Okedeyi lifts the ball up high in Egypt last December with fellow event referees

His very close friend and fellow Nigerian FIBA international referee Kingsley Ojeaburu expressed absolute shock at the devastating news and told FIBA.basketball that, "I called him earlier this morning and when he did not pick, I decided that I would call him in the afternoon because maybe he was busy. We were preparing material for a coaches' webinar course so that we make a good presentation for them. He was working on one part and I was working on the other. This is a very sad moment. Unbelievable. I am speechless."

L-R: Ojeaburu and Okedeyi

FIBA international referee Monica Nassuna from Uganda expressed sorrow and said, "It is very shocking and heartbreaking to lose a colleague who had become a friend. He had a great personality on and off the court. He always asked questions in a quest to improve his officiation. He was excited to further his refereeing career every time we talked."

"His personality was great. He had such a beautiful and kind heart. It was very evident in his humility and always made those around him laugh at his jokes. My heart bleeds at his passing. I pray that God teaches us to number our days. I send heartfelt condolences to his family and the basketball fraternity. In our last chat, he said he wants to visit Uganda and I told him that it is a matter of time. He will surely make it here. Oh dear!"

Okedeyi with Khaled and Nassuna in Egypt

Another FIBA international referee colleague Aya Ahmed Khaled from Egypt remembered him as someone who always brought joy to everyone around him. 

"He smiled all the time. He was very kind. This is so sad. I cannot believe it. He had a great soul and a nice heart. He always sought to know more and listened to everyone. I remember he officiated a very good Semi-Final game at the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup between Al Ahly and Inter Clube from Angola. He was very good," Khaled said. 

Aya Khaled with Sara Gamal Elsharnouby and Okedeyi in Egypt

 Khaled said, "I always used to call him Rasaq Chan because he was acting like a soldier on court and so tough. So I named him that after the Chinese actor Jackie Chan because he was as tough as me on court. We are going to miss him greatly."

Social media is awash with tributes of Okedeyi from the Nigerian basketball fraternity speaking greatly about his contribution to the hoops game not just as a referee but as a coach who was committed to the game of basketball who ultimately became family to them. 

May his soul rest in eternal peace. 

FIBA