Luanda – The wake of the former national basketball team player, Ângelo Victoriano, who died Saturday due to illness, is taking place since Monday at the Cidadela pavilion in the Province of Luanda, the same venue where he has given several memorable performances that dignify sport in Angola, Africa and the world.
This is the place where Ângelo Victoriano won three of the eight titles he played for the national team and, with the aim of honouring him, several of his trophies and medals, also won for 1º de Agosto, are on display.
According to what ANGOP has had access to, the relatives said that the burial of the former centre forward is scheduled for Wednesday at Santa Ana cemetery.
Instead of the usual sport matches, during this period the pavilion is turning into a place of deep sadness in which is seen presence of the family members, former colleagues of the national team as well as the clubs he represented in Angola, namely Petro de Luanda, ASA and 1st August, in addition to the general public.
The 56 years old athlete, is the older brother of former basketball players Justino Victoriano 'Puna' and Edmar Victoriano 'Baduna', who also gave great contribution for the development of the sport in Angola through the clubs and of the national teams.
The former basketball player became the second Angolan to deserve such a “FIBA Hall of Fame” distinction, in August 2023 as a recognition by International Basketball Federation (FIBA-World), after Jean-Jacques da Conceição, former center forward, in 2013.
As well as winning for the national team, Ângelo was African club champion for 1.º de Agosto in 2002 (Luanda), 2004 (Cairo), 2005 (Lagos) and 2006 (Abidjan).
He took part in four Olympic Games, in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).
WR/VAB/MC/MRA/jmc
