Veterans mourn Etim Henshaw

Association of Sports Veterans of Nigeria has expressed shock at the death of the first captain of the pioneer Nigerian National football team, Etim Henshaw, who passed on recently in his country home in  Calabar.
In a statement signed by its President, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, the association said “the country has lost a gem, a legend who was the last two survivors of the 18 Nigerians who toured Liverpool, England in 1949 on the first visit to the United Kingdom by a Nigerian team.”

The sports veterans recalled the humble nature of the man as depicted by former writer and football commentator, Bonar Ekanem of the Daily Times who wrote, “Nigeria is an adequate illustration of the figure, mould and character of Richard Henshaw.”

The Veterans said events that culminated in the selection of Henshaw as captain of the Nigerian side, popularly called ‘The UK Tourists’ called for serious discussion among present day football administrators.

The sports veterans called on the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sports to honour the fallen hero “to serve as an example and inspiration to present and future generations”.