Abuja. The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, ANOCA, received with deep sorrow and consternation news of the demise, in Abuja, Nigeria, of Sone Abih Winslow, Director of Cabinet of the institution, on 12 May 2013.
Winslow hailed from Cameroonian and passed on after a brief illness. A very bright student in his days, he went on to obtain the higher diploma in Translation and interpretation studies, which opened the doors to the National Assembly of his country, where he served as translator/ interpreter. He later on embraced sports administration and worked as translator/ interpreter for the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa, SCSA, and ANOCA.
Here, he held several duty posts, notably Conference Coordinator (1992 to 2006), Executive Director (2006 to 2009) and Director of Cabinet from 2009 till he was carted off the scene by the cold hands of death. With his invaluable knowledge of the African Sporting and Olympic Movement, he equally served on several occasions as consultant for the Association of African Sports Confederations, AASC. The illustrious son of Cameroon was also a high level sports administrator in his country, where he was President of the Cameroon Baseball and Softball Federation (1997 to 2013), Board member and Deputy Secretary-General of the NOC Cameroon from 2001 to 2005.
The sad news of his death thus sent shock waves through the entire African Olympic Movement, a most disheartening announcement to members of the ANOCA Executive Committee. In the words of Intendant General Lassana Palenfo, “Africa has lost a worthy son and it is a heavy blow to the African Olympic Movement. I knew Winslow even before I became ANOCA President. From the outset, he struck me with his intelligence and the dexterity with which he analysed and handled major files on sport and Olympism. He was a great servant and an advocate of Olympic values. Together, we piloted major projects within our institution and he has left indelible footprints by his outstanding work. On behalf of all National Olympic Committees of Africa and on my personal behalf, I wish to convey to members of the bereaved family our heartfelt condolences. We all share in your misfortune.”
