By Joe Aminah
With less than 18 hours to the final laying to rest of Delta state born, late Coach Peter Fregene – Okpogoro, stakeholders in the sports industry and admirers are bemoaning with condemnation, the tardy display of lack of affection and disregard for the demise of the legendary Nigerian soccer hero by the Delta state government.
A large section of combined football veterans and organisers, fans and lovers of the late Green Eagles goalkeeper, expressed their displeasure in the manner the Delta state government has been nonchalant towards the welfare of one of the greatest patriots in sports history and even at his death.
There is no little display of regards or affection by Delta state government in honour of a fallen hero like Fregene, at a critical time like this when Nigerians, especially Deltans and Edo under defunct Midwest region as represented by the iconic internationally famed goalkeeper need to pay their last respect.
Peter Fregene, by dint of hard work, creditably served and brought several honours to his state and country, a feat which ultimately attracted so much fame to the Delta at both national and international spotlights.
According to sportsmen, it is very disheartening, not only to the sports community but entire Nigerian fans of Peter Fregene, one of the greatest goalkeepers that had ever lived in this part of the world.
The unhappy fans who confronted journalists at the low-key Service of Songs at the Okotie- Eboh School field, Sapele, in an emotion laden outpouring of their hearts, bemoaned the behaviour of the state government, pinpointing the blame on the Secretary to the State Government – SSG for his inaction on the event.
Displaying a letter by the Peter Fregene Memorial Committee, dated 4th November 2024, the group saddled with the burial events, pointed out that the Governor was notified through the office of the SSG, in which it sought financial assistance for the burial and subsequently followed by personal reminders to the SSG Mr Kingsley Emu, all to no result.
This act of negligence by the SSG is not good at all for the image of the hard-working governor, they lamented.
In a glowing tribute, the fans while lampooning what they described as nonchalant act of the SSG, enumerated the glorious exploits of Fregene with a pass mark of a national figure.
Peter Fregene, they pointed out, was worth more than a mere son, going by these laudable achievements which included making his state proud at a very young age in the rare art of goalkeeping, beginning with Sapele Amateur Football Association – SAFA,
At a very tender age, Fregene represented the Mid-West team at the Bank Anthony Tournament in 1966 and was made first choice goalkeeper in the Midwest team victory match against Northern Region.
Peter Fregene, among other soccer exploits, was first choice goalkeeper at the 1968 Olympic Games, had a fulfilled career as regular goalkeeper for Leventis FC, he was with the almighty Stationery Stores and later ECN (NEPA)
Peter Fregene was first choice goalkeeper for Nigeria at the 1970 World Cup qualifier. Goalkeeper 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, First choice goalie at 1982 Africa Cup of Nations and Goalkeeper, Five Nations Tournament, South Korea.
Other remarkable feats of Coach Fregene was his adroit skill of training the art of soccer while handling teams like Delta Power Stars, Ughelli, Jaspers FC, Onitsha, Frangers FC, Warri and Flamingos Stationery Stores, Lagos.
The stakeholders, which included members of All Stars, Fans and friends of Peter Fregene and members of the Fregene Burial Committee, in a damn the consequence remark, prevailed on the state Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency, call the SSG to order on the issue for quick response before the end of the burial.
