- Renowned football coach Justin Okiring passed away on Monday at a Kitale hospital after he was attacked in West Pokot
- Okiring built his name in women’s football, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Harambee Starlets head coach in 2014
- The Football Kenya Federation has led in sending tributes, even as authorities continue with their investigations
Former Harambee Starlets head coach Justin Okiring has died.
Source: Twitter
Okiring succumbed to injuries sustained during a bandit attack in West Pokot on Saturday. He was rushed to the Kijana Wamalwa Referral Hospital, where he was receiving treatment before he sadly passed away on Monday.
Who was Justin Okiring?
Okiring was a renowned football coach who briefly served as the head coach of Kenya’s women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, in 2014.
Apart from Harambee Starlets, Okiring built his name by coaching several top sides in the North Rift, including Nasokol Girls, Wiyeta Girls, and the Trans-Nzoia Falcons. He won multiple titles, including in the East Africa Secondary School Games.
Tributes flow in for Justin Okiring
In a message on social media, the Football Kenya Federation has mourned the death of Okiring.
“Football Kenya Federation mourns the passing of Justin Okiring, former Head Coach of Trans Nzoia Falcons. FKF extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Trans Nzoia Falcons fraternity during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Popular comedienne and footballer Dem wa Facebook also paid a moving tribute to the coach, whom she credited with her success today.
“I am deeply heartbroken by the passing of coach Justin Okiring, who sadly passed away yesterday. Coach Okiring was more than a coach to me, he was the man who believed in me when my journey was just beginning. My story started with football, and he held my hand through every step of it. I met him when I joined Brenda Girls in Form One, and after seeing my potential, he made sure I stayed in school because of football. He moved me from Brenda Girls to Nasokol Girls, where I continued my studies for free while pursuing the game I loved,” read part of the tribute.
Source: Facebook
“Rest in peace, coach. Thank you for seeing me, for guiding me, and for changing my life forever. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire football fraternity.”
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Trans Nzoia Women FKF representative Everlyne Masinde, revealed she talked to Okiring recently
“I was with Okiring during Allan Chesang’ Super Cup, I even talked to him thereafter because we had plans to take girls to schools that can offer them scholarships while they play football.”
Footballer killed in Bondi Beach terror attack
In a separate story, a footballer was among the 15 people who were killed during the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Dan Elkayam was a player for semi-pro side Rockdale Ilinden Football Club in Sydney.
The alleged gunmen were a father and son, who opened fire during a gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah after legally obtaining firearms.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
