A large number of prominent figures gathered in Algeria today, Saturday, for the funeral of Bilal Ben Hamouda, the Algerian football player, who died at dawn yesterday, Friday, after a traffic accident.
The funeral in Tipasa, Algeria, was attended by Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Bosetta, the governor of the state, Abdel-Razzaq Sabaq, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Majid Bougherra, the coach of the Algerian national team and the former player of the Algerian national team.
The shock appeared to the family members, friends and lovers present at the funeral, and it was clear that they were affected by the tragic loss of Ben Hamouda at the age of 24.
Bilal's father, Mohamed Ben Hamouda, said, "This is the son of Algeria, and he is not my son alone. In the city of Hajout and Algiers, everyone loves him, thank God, and he meets everyone's demands and was playing with everyone... He is never arrogant, even though he is a professional player."
"What caught my attention was that he scored a penalty kick in his last match, even though he was not used to it. That is God's sake," he added.
Last Thursday, Benhamouda participated in the Algerian national team match against its guest from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and scored the second goal from a penalty kick during the 3-0 victory.
Ben Hamouda died as a result of a tragic accident in the Fouka area of Tipasa, while he was on his way to his family home with his friend, after he had a short rest from the national team camp.
Bougherra said, "I feel very sad after the death of Bilal Ben Hamouda. I cannot describe my pain with this tragedy that affected his family and me personally, without forgetting his friend Sayed Ahmed Watit. We lost two young men at the age of flowers."
He added, "Sorrow descends on everyone in the local national team, and on all Algerian football, but with hearts that believe in God's judgment and destiny, we welcome the player's departure."
Today, Saturday, the Algerian Football Federation announced the suspension of the preparatory camp for the local team, after this tragedy.
The Algerian Minister of Youth and Sports said, "We are in this great place to attend the funeral of our son Bilal. We offer our condolences to his family, his father and all Algerians."
"We are Muslims, and we do not object to God's decree and destiny, and we hope that God will grant the family patience and we are here to support them," he added.