Hussein Swaleh: Football admin eulogized in sombre memorial

Business in Embu town came to a standstill when thousands of Sportsmen, friends and relatives joined  the family of the late football administrator Hussein Swaleh in a memorial service marked with sobs and tears.

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa led mourners in a memorial service for the late Swaleh, who was among the 157 victims of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash.

The service, held at the Embu Stadium, was also graced by deputy president Doris Petra, FKF executive committee members, branch officials, club representatives and Kenyans of all walks of life.

Mwendwa said: “FKF lost not just a branch chairman but a dedicated servant of the game, who always supported our football development agenda.

“As a Federation, we have stood with Swaleh’s family and will endeavor to offer them as much support as we can through these trying times.”

Swaleh, who once served as the federation’s general secretary, was the match commissioner in Egyptian side Ismaily’s CAF Champions League home match against TP Mazembe.

The immediate former FKF Lower Eastern branch chairman met his untimely death while traveling home from Egypt through Ethiopia.

Early last week,Confederation of African Football condoled with the family of the late footballer administrator who was among the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302, a Boeing 737-800 Max that crashed on 10 March, shortly after take-off.

A CAF delegation, led by former Tanzanian Football Federation president Leodegar Tenga, met the family of the late Hussein at FKF House, Goal Project.