Remembering Gabon heroes
Published On May 1, 2014 » 2322 Views» By Administrator Times » Columns, Sports
 0 stars
Register to vote!

Sport On - ChipepoHONOURING the fallen Gabon heroes is an issue that needs to be taken seriously by all stakeholders involved because it is sensitive as it evokes memories despite the long period the accident happened.
Some ideas and suggestions have come up from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), family members and individuals on how the fallen heroes could best be remembered.
But it appears there is failure to reach a consensus going by the unsatisfactory statements that come up every year especially from family members, who are critical stakeholders on the matter.
However, there are various examples that can be given of the memorials that are still going on despite the event having happened a long time ago.
We have the Hillsborogh disaster that occurred on April 15, 1989 at Sheffield Stadium during an English FA Cup match between Liverpool and Nothingham Forest, a crash that resulted in 96 deaths while around 766 fans were injured.
And 25 years on, the anniversary is still going strong and gaining momentum with those that were young at the time getting to know more about the event and what really happened.
There is also the famous Munich disaster that occurred on February 6, 1958 when a plane carrying the Manchester United team, supporters and journalists crashed killing eight members for the English side, commonly referred to as the ‘Busby Babes’.
The Munich air disaster continues to be mourned by clubs fans each year and there is even a memorial outside Old Trafford for the players who died.
A colleague of mine passed a joke as to how I would feel to be told that I should be celebrating my birthday every after 10 or five years?
But FAZ has decided to come up with a five-year cycle to remember the group that died on the way for the 1994 World Cup qualifier against Senegal.
That idea has not been welcomed by the family members who feel FAZ has neglected them in some way, and indeed they can’t be blamed as they feel the loss of their beloved ones and telling them to be celebrating the event every after five years is too much to ask.
Therefore, football administrator, Ponga Liwewe’s initiative to come up with a better way of commemorating the Gabon memorial in honour of the gallant fallen heroes, should not be ignored.
Thus, the idea Ponga intends to come up with needs to be supported by every Zambian to save the legacy of the fallen heroes, who need to be remembered for their great contribution and sacrifice to our football.
I feel something can be done in liaison with FAZ, the families and Government on the best way to organise such an event that will never be forgotten in Zambia’s football history and probably in the World football books.
Sad that Zambia and the rest of the world remembered the 18 Zambian players and officials that perished off the coast of Libreville, Gabon on April 28, 1993 but the anniversary has continued to receive little recognition.
Lastly, let me congratulate Nkana for qualifying to the group stages of the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup by snatching a vital 1-1 draw away in Tunisia against CA Bizertin.
Wishing you all a wonderful sporting weekend.
For comments email eliaschipepo@gmail.com

Share this post
Tags

About The Author