OBITUARY
Funeral for ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson held in Sweden
The funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first foreigner to manage England’s national soccer team, was held on Friday in the small Swedish town where he grew up before embarking on a career that would span many decades, countries and trophies.
A soft-spoken but determined coach, Eriksson guided teams in Sweden, Portugal and Italy to major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job in 2001, managing stars such as David Beckham, with whom he formed a close bond.
Eriksson announced in January that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and spent much of the ensuing months reconnecting with many of the places and people central to his career before he died last month.
The funeral took place in Torsby, a rural town of fewer than 5,000 people near the border with Norway, and was attended by several hundred people inside the church, including Beckham.
Hundreds more followed the service on a big screen set up outside, local police said, and the funeral was given blanket coverage by Swedish media.
After the one-hour service, the coffin was led in procession to a nearby community centre while a brass band played music including “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, the anthem of English club Liverpool, whom Eriksson supported and coached in a legends game in March.
Tributes flowed in from prime ministers, clubs and former players on news of his death while national teams including England and Sweden played with black arm bands during the recent international break.
“Svennis was a true football gentleman,” FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said on social media platform X.
“He coached as he lived his life, and he will be sorely missed.”
Eriksson, known in Sweden simply as “Svennis”, led England to the 2002 and 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, and to the 2004 European Championship, managing a golden generation of players that besides Beckham included stars such as Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
He began building his international reputation when he guided Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup title in 1982 and went on to win silverware as coach of Portugal’s Benfica and Italian clubs AS Roma, Lazio and Sampdoria.
Unable to end England’s trophy drought, he left the helm of the national side in 2006, going on to coach Manchester City and Leicester City as well as Mexico and Ivory Coast and clubs in China and the Philippines.
Curt Agren, watching the funeral on the screen outside the church wearing an IFK jersey, shorts and cap, reflected on Eriksson’s importance for the club. “He is the greatest we’ve had in the whole world,” he told local news agency TT.
-Reuters
Moroccan Journalist, great expert on sports, poet with a sharp pen and above all a precursor of press cartoons in Morocco, Belaïd Bouimid passed away on Monday.
According to Moroccan publication, 360 Sport, Bouimid passed on after a long and courageous fight against illness. He was 75 years old.
He was reportedly admitted to at a clinic in Casablanca where he underwent yet another surgical operation after his health deteriorated. Belaïd Bouimid was used to getting back up. But not this time. The dean of Moroccan journalists, a true big brother to all sports journalists in the country, he passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024 at the age of 75.
Throughout his career, he distinguished himself not only through his expertise and love for sports but also through his intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness.
He was not just a journalist but a deeply cultured man, attuned to the evolving artistic, literary, and cultural landscapes. His sports analyses were often enriched with cultural references, giving him a unique and original perspective.
His humanity, sharp mind, and insightful view of the world inspired many generations, whether in the editorial offices or the artistic circles he cherished so much.
“Really sad. ” That was the first reaction of Mitchell Obi, the immediate past president of continental sports writing body, AIPS-Africa, after learning of the passage of Belaid Bouimid, the dean of sports journalists in Morocco.
Continuing, Obi remarked: “The exit of a reliable and splendid voice. Unforgettable times with a friend who gave his utmost to lift the African sporting press.
“Belaid was brilliant in his communication style and he created laughter from nothing. Simple, self effacing but deeply functional.
“He remains my President and Africa will cherish the sterling contributions of one who truly launched AIPS Africa from its heritage of ASJU.
“A companion for all seasons, my tearful heart goes to the family and friends in Casablanca, Morocco and beyond.
All that goes returns. Rest well Belaid Boumid … you left us with plenty to remember you by.”
The Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN), has expressed deep sorrow over the death of one of its members, Adeyinka Adebayo. Until his death on Tuesday, he was the head of sports desk at Eko FM/Radio Lagos.
He was also a director at the Lagos State Ministry of Information. Sports writers in Lagos State have continued to mourn and celebrate Adebayo for his professionalism, commitment, and contributions to the growth of sports journalism in the state.
Debo Oshundun, the Chairman, Lagos SWAN, expressed deep sorrow. “I am devastated. ‘Yinka was among my greatest supporters and confidants. He was very close to me, and his passing has left me deeply saddened.
“I called him ‘Woli Agba.’ I am lost for words in describing what his death means to me personally and Lagos SWAN as an organisation,” Oshundun remarked.
According to him, the late Adebayo was a multifaceted individual who left a lasting impact on Lagos SWAN members as a mentor, friend and colleague. “He believes his legacy of dedication and kindness will continue to resonate within the sports writing fraternity and ensure his memory endures.”
Dapo Sotuminu, former Group Sports Editor of Compass Newspapers, remarked: “Apostle Yinka Adebayo, may your soul rest in perfect peace. May the good Lord take care of the children you left behind. A good guy just left us” .
Ace broadcaster and CEO of AfroSports, Deji Omotoyinbo commented in similar fashion. “Terrible news A real gentleman. Rest in peace Yinka.”
Former Lagos SWAN Chairman and Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Tony Ubani wrote, “Yinka is, without doubt, the definition of a gentleman I have met. He was compassionate and humble, with a contagious smile. God has called him back to his Kingdom, where there is no pain or cry. Rest in peace, my man of God, as I usually called him.”
Another respected member of Lagos SWAN and current Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, remarked that Adebayo was too young to die!
Condolence messages have continued to pour in from members as well as heartfelt condolences to the family and friends for the strength to bear this irreparable loss while they pray for his soul to rest in perfect peace.
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