How oyo SWAN Celebrated Best

By Tosin Omojola - 07.11.2009

When beggers die, there is no cometh seen. Heaven themselves blaze forth the death of a Princess.’ That exacly was the best way to describe the honour that trailed former Green Eagles safehand, Best Anthony Ogedegbe (MON) whose mortal body was finally committed to mother earth yesterday.

Best’s final home journey started on Wednesday with a special programme organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter.

The event tagged Five Memorable Moments of Best Ogedegbe was according to the Salem Akindele-Rock led SWAN ‘s little way of saying thank you to the goalie who gave his best to ensure the best for Nigerian football.

The media centre of the Liberty Stadium venue the event was filled with those who matters in the round leather game on hand to witness the ocassion.

They included, representative of the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu, Barrister Leye Adepoju who is the chairman, Oyo State Football Federation, acting chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gbenga Ayoade, Administrative Manager of 3SC, Mr Lakin Adegun, Zonal Director, FRCN, Dada Ogundele representative of the Eze N’digbo and off course the Zonal Coordinator, Zone One of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr Peter Nelson.

These personalities and other friends and associates of Best joined his wife, Mrs Sade Ogedegbe and his daughters, Gloria and Yejide in witnessing the respect given the goalkeeping icon by SWAN. In their seperate tributes at the event, Pa Adelagun, Zion Ogunfehinmi, Mr Lakin Adegun, Barrister Adepoju, Mr Gbenga Ayoade, Ogundele and Baba Olotu all poured encomiums on Best saying that while he was alive, he was the best and even in death remains the best as shown in the way people reacted to his demise.

To Pa Adelagun who perssonally brought Best to Ibadan to join his school team, Best arrival sent jitterss down the spines of others and the goalie did lived up to the billings whenever he was in between the post during various competitons

Zion Ogunfehinmi in his own tribute disclosed that he came in contact with Best during one of the Principal’s Cup contest and ever since, a solid relationship existed between them. “We were both called up into the Western State team for the Sports Festival in 1973, we were both goalkeepers in then IICC team, we did things together including attending disco parties and throughout his stay in this world, we never had any quarrel”, said Zion, who concluded “wherever Best is now, that is where I would like to be because I love him so much.”

To Mr Lakin Adegun, “Best gave his ultimate best for his country and history will never forget him, he made his name in the colours of IICC and he was a good husband, father, friend, welfare manager in whose tenure as manager of the club, there was never rancour between players and club officials. “

“Best was indeed the best” declared Barrister Adepoju, he kept his head while others were losing theirs, he was not just a footballer but a hero. Oyo SWAN chair-man, Salem Akindele Rock and the association as a whole paid their glowing tributes to the fallen hero, describing him as an icon whose finger print will remain indelible in the history of Nigerian football.

“Although Best died when his best was needed most, he forever will be remembered for his acheivement which came through selfless efforts that was made possible by his perseverance and humility”.