Livingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Four icons from the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign will be among the list of honourees at this year’s Masters and Celebrities Bell-Ziadie football festival to be held on Heroes Day, October 21, at Winchester Park, St George’s College.
The former players, who contributed immensely to Jamaica qualifying for its first World Cup in ‘98 include the enigmatic Walter Boyd, former stalwart defenders Ian ‘Pepe’ Goodison and Linval ‘Rudy’ Dixon, and former midfield maestro and national coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore.
The other honourees are former St George’s Old Boy player KeeSang Chin; former FIFA referee Ricardo Morgan; Manley Burrowes, the 1998 Reggae Boyz bus driver; and Chris James, president of Barbican FC.
Lorna Bell, the widow of Jackie Bell, in whose memory the event is being staged, was pleased to see Boyd, a mercurial player during his time in the national team, among the honourees.
She is also delighted to see that the event will be held at the school of the two former football stalwarts, St George’s College, and announced that her family had made a contribution towards the staging of the event this year. Bell and Dennis Ziadie lost their lives in a bus accident while on their way to a game during the 1982 World Cup in Mexico.
“I want to congratulate the awardees. I don’t want to single out anybody, but I am so happy to see my son, Walter Boyd, being honoured this year. I am happy to see the matches being played at Winchester Park, and so the (Bell) family has decided to make a donation to assist with the preparation,” Lorna Bell said at the launch at the Football Factory last Thursday.
She also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bell and Ziadie families to Masters and Celebrities founder Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell for keeping alive the memories of the two, who are considered legends as players, coaches, and administrators.
“I want to express gratitude on behalf of my daughters, Jackie’s children, and myself. For 39 years, despite all the challenges, your (Campbell’s) dedication in remembering and honouring these two great footballers and administrators has definitely not gone unnoticed by myself, Jackie’s children, and Dennis Ziadie’s family.
“Dennis and Jackie dedicated their lives to developing football in Jamaica, and it is important that events like these are kept in the spirit of fun and fellowship. I look forward to this event,” she said.
Professional Jamaica Football Limited CEO Owen Hill said he fully endorses events that remember those who made indelible contributions in the past.
The event kicks off with the first game at 2:00 p.m., with Referees against Christian Ambassadors. In the feature match, a combined Entertainers, Masters and Celebrities team will take on a St George’s Old Boys Invitational XI.
livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com
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