Low Attention As Friends Mark First Memorial Of Jossy Lad

As its makes one year on 9th May that the late former Super Falcons Coach, Joseph Ladipo popularly known as ‘Jossy Lad’ died after an illness, close friends and associates that put up small programmes in memory of the deceased have alleged low attention from expected quarters.

Part of the memorial programmes was a football tournament instituted in Ibadan to immortalize the name of the soccer icon where Shafaudeen FC would tackle Young Stars in the final slated for this Friday 9th that makes it a year the first team captain to lift first continental trophy for Nigeria when IICC won the African Cup Winners Cup in 1976 bid farewell to sinful earth.

Former Shooting Stars Coach, and teammate of Jossy Lad, Rafiu Salami who is the secretary of the organizing committee said the memorial competition is yet to get a sponsor or receive any support from any quarters, apart from Niyi Akande, Deputy Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly Hon. Tunde Olaniyan and Sesan Odukoya of Sessy Sports that donated trophies for teams to win at the tourney.

He added that the committee had written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports, Shooting Stars Sports Club where the deceased served last as board Chairman, but still waiting for their responses.

The committee however, expressed appreciation to the zonal coordinator of National Sports Commission (NSC) zone 1, Dr. Steve Olarinoye who approved training and main-bowl of Obafemi Awolwo Stadium to be use free in honour and remembrance of the late national sports hero but the final has been shifted from Olubadan Stadium Ibadan due to political engagement that would occupy former Liberty Stadium.

The committee of friends of late Jossy Lad is headed by his teammate Engr. Eddie Ayoola, while others includes: Alhaji Banji Akintayo, the Chairman Ibadan Football Association (IFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Adeyemo, IFA secretary, Alhaji Alani Salami, former Team Manager of Shooting Stars FC, Kayode Awobajo, Adigun both member of IFA, Suara Adeniran a teammate to the deceased.

Others are Idowu Otubusen popularly known as ‘Slow Poison’, Dr. Abiodun Salami, Chief Coach University of Ibadan, Pastor Niyi Oladipo junior brother to the deceased, Sangowumi Kolawole, a retired referee and Kola Taiwo a teammate to late Jossy Lad in IICC.