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Remember It's
Kelvin's Day!
Wleh Bedell (Sports Consultant)
On Thursday, June 25, the highly committed ex-Liberian international
Kelvin Sebwe is expected to finally hang his boots and say good bye to
the world's most popular sports, football. If all goes well as
planned, an avalanche of stars, former and current are expected to
light up the occassion which will no doubt put the Samuel Kayon Doe
Sports Stadium (SKD) in a frenzy with the vociferous crowd having the
opportuniity to see top class football.
The legendary George Oppong Manneh Weah will no doubt lead a myriad of
stars which include Guinean legend Aboubaccar Titi Camara, Lilian
Thuram and Youri Djorkaeff, both FIFA World Cup Winners, the expensive
duo of Didier Tebily Drogba Yves and Samuel Eto'o Fils (who need no
introduction) Gnerei Yaya Toure and his brother Habib Kolo Toure as
well as a host of other respected stars are expected to make the
occassion a hilarious one.
But, while everyone is yearning for such an epic event, it is prudent
that a reminder be made that the day is for Kelvin as far as his
testimonial or retirement is concerned.
After 21 years of top rated football, the 37 year old entertainer has
decided to call it a day after a virtually scrumptious football career
on the club and internationally level.
The coming of the stars is one thing that will add spice to the
ceremony with everyone itching to be a part of such a historic and
monumental arrangement.
Indeed, people will have the opportunity to see these stars before
their very eyes and not via the television screens or other means.
But, while the coming of these football heavyweights is highly
welcoming, it is expedient to note that whatever the situation, it is
Kelvin's day and not that of anyone.
Such a unique assembly should not be misconstrued, and the spectators
or the crowd should not allow the ever formidable presence of these
bigwigs to overshadow the honoring of "KELVIN-THE GREAT".
As it was with other great stars including the legendary Weah, Kelvin
must be hailed and must always come first in terms of the honor or
reception, as it is his final day on the park, and it is because of
this maestro that such a wonderful ceremony is coming to the fore.
While the idea of entertainment having no bound cannot be obliterated,
it is an advisable plea that Kelvin be given the necessary reception,
ovation and courtesy as he bids farewell to the global leather.
Let us model from others who honored their heroes in ecstatic fashion
during their testimonials despite the presence of a galaxy ofm World
class crowd favourites or pleasers.
It can be recollected that when ex-South African international Lucas
Valeriu Radebe had two testimonials at Elland Road in England, and
then in Durban, South Africa, between Leeds United XI and
International XI and South Africa Invitation XI and Radebe All Stars
(3-7 & 3-2 ) respectively, the crowd gave the former defender a very
memorable bye as they cheered to the fullest, chanting the name
Radeebeeeee.....
They did not allow the presence of several international stars on that
faithful day of May 2, 2005 to distract them in their quest to lift
their hero on his final day on the pitch officially.
Despite the presence of some big guns including Gary Mc Allister,
Vivien Jones, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Mario Melchot, John Carew, Bruce
Grobbelar, Oliver Darcourt, Phil Masinga, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink,
Eirik Bak, Chris Kamara and many others, the 37,886 partisan crowd in
attendance were with one voice in hailing everyone, but with Radebe
seen as the first.
Through this, a local brewery in Eastland later named a beer, Radebeer
in contribution of Radebe's immense services rendered to club Leeds
United and country South Africa as a footballer.
Also, the mercurial midfielder Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (75 caps and 14
goals for country) had an awesome testimonial on June 28, 2008 at the
Ogwashi Ukwu stadium in Delta State which would later be changed to
the Jay-Jay Okocha Stadium.
The huge crowd that turned out despite torrential rain, cheered Okocha
to the end as he netted in a goal each for both sides as a Super
Eagles XI got the better of a world XI side that paraded the likes of
Daniel Amokashi, Carlton Cole El- Hadji Oussenou Diouf and other
famous faces o the world football stage.
One need not mention the testimonial of 1995 FIFA World Footballer of
the year George Weah at the Stade Veldrome in Marseille in 2005 where
almost all the top guns where three times world footballer of the year
Yazid Zinedine Zidane and the "Professor" Arsene Wenger led a rich
list of high achievers as Weah shined the brightest on the day.
It would be a good presage were everyone to give "KELVIN THE GREAT" a
memorable good bye football wise order than misinteperating the entire
concept or motive of the exercise.
Let me hasten to add here that this does not in any way suggest that
Drogba, Eto'o and the rest are not worth lifting, but for the fact
that it is the day of the once incisive Kelvin Sebwe, it would mean
good for all passionate football followers to cheer everyone, but,
remember to cheer, lift, extol, hail and applaud Kelvin the greatest
as it is his day.
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