Late John Ene Okon
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The final rites for late Super Eagles midfielder, John Okon Ene, is slated for May 13 with a testimonial match to mark his exit from football .
The burial programme from the deceased family obtained by sports writers in Calabar indicated that the deceased would be issued a symbolic red card during the match preceding his burial.
According to the programme the match between Anantigha selected and the class of old Calabar Rovers from Akwa Ibom will mark Ene’s formal expulsion from footballing.
The posthumous match where a symbolic red card would be shown the deceased is expected to be handled on May 13 by the Nigeria Referees Association at the U.J. Esuene stadium.
The Nigeria Football Federation had announced via Twitter that the former Nigeria international player Ene passed on at the age of 47 on March 15 after a brief illness.
Until his death, Ene was head coach of UniCem Rovers, formerly Calabar Rovers, where he was distinguished, talented midfielder who got a call-up to Nigeria’s senior national male team.
In a condolence message the Chairman, Cross River State Sports Commission, Orok Duke, stated that Ene died in active service.
He disclosed that Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River and the commission had condoled with the deceased family.
He also stated that the former Nigerian midfielder would be interred May 13 at the Hawkins cemetery, Calabar, after lying in state at the U. J. Esuene stadium.
“Akpakan, as he was fondly called, will be remembered for his high sense of dedication to work and contribution to sports development and football in particular. The body of the deceased would lie in state at the U.J. Esuene stadium on Friday May 13, 2016,’’ Duke stated.
According to the burial programme a condolence register for Ene will open on May 10 while the mourning house rites would kick off on May 11 at 52 Odukpani Road in Essien Town, Calabar.
Our correspondent learnt that there would also be a tribute and a sing song nite on the cards at Ene’s final obsequies.
The burial programme from the deceased family obtained by sports writers in Calabar indicated that the deceased would be issued a symbolic red card during the match preceding his burial.
According to the programme the match between Anantigha selected and the class of old Calabar Rovers from Akwa Ibom will mark Ene’s formal expulsion from footballing.
The posthumous match where a symbolic red card would be shown the deceased is expected to be handled on May 13 by the Nigeria Referees Association at the U.J. Esuene stadium.
The Nigeria Football Federation had announced via Twitter that the former Nigeria international player Ene passed on at the age of 47 on March 15 after a brief illness.
Until his death, Ene was head coach of UniCem Rovers, formerly Calabar Rovers, where he was distinguished, talented midfielder who got a call-up to Nigeria’s senior national male team.
In a condolence message the Chairman, Cross River State Sports Commission, Orok Duke, stated that Ene died in active service.
He disclosed that Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River and the commission had condoled with the deceased family.
He also stated that the former Nigerian midfielder would be interred May 13 at the Hawkins cemetery, Calabar, after lying in state at the U. J. Esuene stadium.
“Akpakan, as he was fondly called, will be remembered for his high sense of dedication to work and contribution to sports development and football in particular. The body of the deceased would lie in state at the U.J. Esuene stadium on Friday May 13, 2016,’’ Duke stated.
According to the burial programme a condolence register for Ene will open on May 10 while the mourning house rites would kick off on May 11 at 52 Odukpani Road in Essien Town, Calabar.
Our correspondent learnt that there would also be a tribute and a sing song nite on the cards at Ene’s final obsequies.
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