By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Founder and former proprietor of Larry Angels football club, the proginator of Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, Prince Larry (Lawrence) Ezeh may be laid to rest in his country home in Mbaise, Imo state in early April.
Prompt News reports that the foremost women’s football club promoter and administrator whose death was confirmed by his son, Larry Ezeh Junior last Wednesday will not be buried earlier than the first week of April, 2021.
According to a source involved in the planning of the funeral rites of Ezeh, the upcoming Easter period will not allow for his burial this month or February.
“Yes, Prince Larry Ezeh’s burial will come up after the Easter celebration. He is a staunch member of the Catholic church and the authorities have ruled out any burial ceremony during the Lent and Easter period. April is the ideal month to hold the burial”, said the source who pleaded anonymity.
Meanwhile, Prompt News has learned that the management of Rivers Angels and by extension the Government of Rivers state are involved in the planning of the funeral rites for a man who projected the image of the club and state positively.
Ezeh was one of the few persons who championed the development, promotion and administration of women’s football in Nigeria with his pioneering efforts in founding Larry Angels FC of Port Harcourt in 1986, a team that later became Rivers Angels.
He also played an important part in the fight for the recognition of women’s football in Nigeria as he joined forces with Chief Christopher Abisuga of Golden Wonders fc; Elder Eddington Kuejunbola, Ufuoma Babes; Princess Bola Ngozi Jegede of Jegede Babes; late Joe Othewowa among others to form Nigeria Female Football Organizers Association (NIFFOA) that went to the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in Lagos in 1988 to put pressure on the NFA to approve the start of women’s football in Nigeria.
As a result of the meeting, the group was advised to change from NIFFOA to Nigeria Female Football Proprietors Association, (NIFFPA).
Their efforts paid off as the body organised national championships which produced the players that represented Nigeria in the first FIFA Women’s World Cup which was staged three years later.
