AN AWARD is to be established by the Digicel Pro League in the name of fallen “Soca Warrior” Akeem Adams, and local football clubs will observe a minute’s silence and wear commemorative arm bands in honour of the late Trinidad and Tobago defender when the Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Pro League resumes on Friday after its Christmas break.
Three clubs with which Adams was associated will be all in action.
Adams, 22, died on Monday in Budapest, Hungary after suffering a massive stroke last Saturday. Adams was contracted to top Hungarian club Ferencvárosi TC and had been battling for his life for the last three months, after initially suffering a massive heart-attack on September 25. Adams seemed on the road to recovery, but the final battle was too much for the ailing footballer. Among those expressing grief over the passing of the talented, young footballer is Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene.
“Trinidad and Tobago, and the TT Pro League, has lost one of its promising sons,” Skeene said of the two-time T&T Youth World Cup defender, who made his senior national team debut as a 16-year-old against El Salvador.
“We will have to speak to his family to see how we can (produce) an award in his name,” Skeene added.
The Pro League administrator offered his condolences to the Adams family on behalf of the League’s Board of Directors, and everyone associated with the local professional football league. Skeene said he knew Adams’ family to be one grown in prayer and faith, and asked that they continue to believe in God’s goodness even in their time of grief.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding,” Skeene said, when quoting Proverbs chapter three, verse five of the Holy Bible.
On Friday, the footballers whom Adams played alongside and against will respect his memory with a minute’s silence. Adams was a former member of current Pro League leaders DirecTV W Connection, who face defending champions and current third placed Defence Force to end the first round. Friday’s feature clash (8 p.m.) is the second match of a Hasely Crawford Stadium double-header.
Earlier (6 p.m.), last season’s runners-up Caledonia AIA face Point Fortin Civic Centre from Adams home district, and the team he was about to join before leaving for Hungary to sign a professional contract.
On Saturday at 3.30 p.m., Pro League action shifts to the Larry Gomes stadium for one match, where North East Stars entertain bottom-placed Central FC. And on Sunday, Adams’ last Pro League club Central FC take on San Juan Jabloteh from 5 p.m. at Hasely Crawford stadium.
DIGICEL PRO LEAGUE MATCHES:
(Friday)
6 pm - Caledonia AIA v Point Fortin Civic FC, Hasely Crawford Stadium
8 pm - Defence Force v W Connection, Hasely Crawford Stadium
(Saturday)
3.30 pm - North East Stars v St. Ann’s Rangers, Larry Gomes Stadium
(Sunday)
5 pm - Central FC - San Juan Jabloteh, Hasely Crawford Stadium