Luanda - The MPLA's Political Bureau has said it believes that the achievements of former basketball player Ângelo Victoriano, who died on April 15 of illness in Luanda, will forever be remembered in the history of the sport.
The former captain was buried Wednesday at the Santa Ana cemetery in Luanda, in the presence of family, friends, colleagues and sports leaders and the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
In the message of condolence sent to ANGOP, the MPLA highlights the achievements of the former players and his performance that led him to the status of a legend, whose career will forever be remembered in its entirety.
With the premature death of the former international, the country loses part of the collective memory of basketball and for this misfortune, the country bows to the memory of the deceased, offering the bereaved family and sportspeople in general its most heartfelt condolences, the note said.
It adds that because of his commitment, the player was recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which inducted him into the "Hall of Fame", just like another Angolan, the former captain of the senior men's national team, Jean Jacques da Conceição.
His record includes several national championships won by the teams of Petro de Luanda, Atlético Sport Aviação (ASA), Clube Desportivo 1º de Agosto and Queluz de Portugal, the latter in the second division, which helped them climb to the top division.
Representing his country, Ângelo Victoriano's first international performance was with the junior national team in the African Nations Championships held in Mozambique and then Nigeria.
The former basketball player was the most crowned in the African continent (eight), he took part in the Olympic Games in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).
DJ/FN/MC/DAN/AMP
