Wilfried Lemke strongly condemned the armed attack against the national football team of Togo at the border crossing between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola on Friday: "This abhorrent deed is not only a violent act against innocent civilians; it is also an attack against the values of sport. Sport has the power to foster mutual understanding and friendship between peoples. Sportsmen and sportswomen who meet in international competitions are the symbol thereof. Assaulting them means attacking the very human values that sport embodies", he declared.

Today's assault is another in a tragic series of violent and deadly acts against sportsmen and sportswomen and spectators. In March 2009, the Sri Lankan national cricket team was attacked by gunmen. Many were injured while they were traveling to a cricket match in Lahore, Pakistan, also on their team bus. Just one week ago, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-filled vehicle in a crowd watching a volleyball game in northwest Pakistan, killing almost 100.

"Targeted violence against players and fans must stop. It seems by attacking them, the perpetrators also try to sabotage peaceful sport encounters and the hospitality of the hosts of international or local events and spread a message of despair and fear. I call on all actors in the world of sport to defend the values of sport and defy these despicable acts."