Geingob lauds Boois' contribution to football
Tributes continue to pour in for the fallen football stalwart, who died last week at the age of 60.
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
Tributes have been flooding in from football fans from all over the country after the death of popular Otjiwarongo-born football stalwart, Seth Orlando Boois.
One such fan is Namibia's head of state, President Hage Geingob, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and applauded Boois' contribution to the football fraternity.
“Namibia has lost a man of many talents. Seth Boois was not only a talented footballer and coach. He was also a writer. He will be remembered for his immense and passionate contributions as a soccer player and coach of the Brave Warriors, which he managed between 1998 and 1999. Due to his love for mentoring younger players, he also coached the Namibian under-23 football team. May his soul rest in peace,” the president said in a statement.
'A lifetime of gratitude'
Boois, who also served as a technical director of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), died in hospital last Thursday. The club he served wholeheartedly, Black Africa (BA) on Friday said Boois joined as a 17-year-old, and after he hung up his boots, he served as the club secretary, assistant coach and eventually head coach.
“Throughout his career with BA, Orlando showed passion, commitment and dedication to the brand.
“He loved the brand so much that he became the only person to date who has written a book about the rich history of BA. His work for the team touched the hearts of so many players and the entire BA family; we owe him a lifetime of gratitude.”
Influence
Football pundit Isack Hamata also remembered the stalwart, sharing how Boois influenced and provided opportunities to him, Timo Tjongarero and Jakes Amaning, helping them to establish and lead the Khomas under-17 Youth League back in the day.
“We did that successfully, becoming a model for other regions to follow. In fact, we 'graduated' to become the NFA Youth Committee, whose main responsibility was to ensure the establishment of youth structures in the regions,” Hamata said.
“Boois also served as trustee of the Colin Benjamin Soccer Academy, which later became Tura Magic. As trustee, he was delegated to travel to South Africa to negotiate a friendly match between Kaizer Chiefs and a local club in Windhoek. As things turned out, we settled on Bafana Bafana playing the Warriors at Sam Nujoma on a Wednesday evening.”
He added that in later years, Boois roped him and Amaning in to conceptualise the Legacy Project, which would serve as a way to give back to former players of his era.
'Always had a project up his sleeve'
“It unfortunately did not materialise due to red tape, but we stayed in touch until very recently.
“He would always have a project up his sleeve, either a book he was writing or research he was conducting,” Hamata said.
He added that he hopes the book Boois was writing about BA's history sees the light of day.
“And as he would conclude his statement during a presentation or a discussion, I say 'And so on and so forth'. Oom Bucs, rest well.”
WINDHOEK
Tributes have been flooding in from football fans from all over the country after the death of popular Otjiwarongo-born football stalwart, Seth Orlando Boois.
One such fan is Namibia's head of state, President Hage Geingob, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and applauded Boois' contribution to the football fraternity.
“Namibia has lost a man of many talents. Seth Boois was not only a talented footballer and coach. He was also a writer. He will be remembered for his immense and passionate contributions as a soccer player and coach of the Brave Warriors, which he managed between 1998 and 1999. Due to his love for mentoring younger players, he also coached the Namibian under-23 football team. May his soul rest in peace,” the president said in a statement.
'A lifetime of gratitude'
Boois, who also served as a technical director of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), died in hospital last Thursday. The club he served wholeheartedly, Black Africa (BA) on Friday said Boois joined as a 17-year-old, and after he hung up his boots, he served as the club secretary, assistant coach and eventually head coach.
“Throughout his career with BA, Orlando showed passion, commitment and dedication to the brand.
“He loved the brand so much that he became the only person to date who has written a book about the rich history of BA. His work for the team touched the hearts of so many players and the entire BA family; we owe him a lifetime of gratitude.”
Influence
Football pundit Isack Hamata also remembered the stalwart, sharing how Boois influenced and provided opportunities to him, Timo Tjongarero and Jakes Amaning, helping them to establish and lead the Khomas under-17 Youth League back in the day.
“We did that successfully, becoming a model for other regions to follow. In fact, we 'graduated' to become the NFA Youth Committee, whose main responsibility was to ensure the establishment of youth structures in the regions,” Hamata said.
“Boois also served as trustee of the Colin Benjamin Soccer Academy, which later became Tura Magic. As trustee, he was delegated to travel to South Africa to negotiate a friendly match between Kaizer Chiefs and a local club in Windhoek. As things turned out, we settled on Bafana Bafana playing the Warriors at Sam Nujoma on a Wednesday evening.”
He added that in later years, Boois roped him and Amaning in to conceptualise the Legacy Project, which would serve as a way to give back to former players of his era.
'Always had a project up his sleeve'
“It unfortunately did not materialise due to red tape, but we stayed in touch until very recently.
“He would always have a project up his sleeve, either a book he was writing or research he was conducting,” Hamata said.
He added that he hopes the book Boois was writing about BA's history sees the light of day.
“And as he would conclude his statement during a presentation or a discussion, I say 'And so on and so forth'. Oom Bucs, rest well.”
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