Africa-Press – Angola. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MINJUD) expressed (Monday), in Luanda, the feelings of regret and consternation over the death of the former player of the National Basketball Team and several clubs, Afonso Silva “Ti Fon”, due to illness, on Sunday, in the country’s capital.
In a note distributed, MINJUD states that it was with deep pain and a feeling of regret that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcão Pinto de Andrade, learned of the death of the former Angolan basketball international.
Remember that Fon, as he was affectionately called in basketball, began his career at Desportivo da Nocal and became famous with ASA and 1o de Agosto, in addition to the National Team, where he won the Afrobasket2003 title, in Egypt.
He also writes that the qualities of a born winger like Fon cannot be summed up in a note of condolence, but that the Ministry recognizes his importance and the impact he had in his more than 20 years of service to national basketball.
He points out as examples the cases of Afrobasket Egypt 2003 and the first African club title, in 2001, by 1o de Agosto.
He adds that his vision of the game, ability to discern such as pressure control, triples and rebounds are qualities that will perpetuate Fon’s image and name in all basketball circumstances in our country.
“For this regrettable and irreparable loss, and in this hour of mourning and pain, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and myself, we address to the family of the deceased, his friends and the national sports community, the deepest feelings of condolence and May the soul of the deceased rest in peace”, the document reads.
Former player who, on several occasions, was part of the senior men’s national basketball team, Afonso Silva “Ti Fon”, passed away on Sunday, in Luanda.
According to a family source, he was found dead at his residence, in the São Paulo neighborhood, urban district of Sambizanga, Municipality of Luanda.
The former national champion for Atlético Sport Aviação (ASA) and 1o de Agosto is the brother of Marito, former goalkeeper for the National Football Team.
Ti Fon, who played as a winger, was notable for executing long and short range plays.
He was a reference player, notably winning the African Championship with the National Team in Alexandria’ 2003 and the bronze medal in Dakar’ 1997.
He also became two-time African club champion representing 1o de Agosto, in 2002 and 2004. Afonso Silva worked as coach of the 1o de Agosto youth teams.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
