BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the sports fraternity in St. Kitts and Nevis still mourning the sudden passing of avid sports lover, Steadroy Techeira, the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletics Association (SKNAAA) is paying tribute.
Techeira, who was affectionately known as ‘Tish’, died on Wednesday (Feb. 15) of last week.
Public Relations Official at the SKNAAA, Evris Huggins, while speaking reporters expressed a “heartfelt condolence” to the family and friend of a beloved colleague in the sports arena.
Though he wasn’t a member of the SKNAAA’s Executive, Techeira was a permanent fixture, officiating at a number of Meets throughout the athletics season.
As was witnessed by this publication, the often soft-spoken gentleman was integral on the track at the Giant Malt Relay Competition back in January. He was loved by many in the discipline of athletics.
“Tish was a friend of track and field - he was in fact family to track and field,” Huggins said. “As a matter of fact, Tish’s last time officiating at a Meet was last Sunday at the Beach Allen Primary School Sports Day.”
Further, Hugging pointed out that “It is so unfortunate to learn about his untimely death. From a personal perspective, I spent my formative years as a track and field administrator, and every Monday evening on ZIZ Radio, I was always invited by him…
“It is a blow to our sport,” he noted. “He was one of our most dedicated officials and he would definitely be missed.”
Meanwhile, condolences were also sounded by those in the football circles.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association also paid tribute to the Techeira, who spent most of his time with them.
In a press statement issued on February 16, the SKNFA described Techeira as the “Unsung hero”, noting that the Executive and members of the organization “are truly saddened by the unexpected passing of Mr. Steadroy ‘Tish’ Techeira, who has made a tremendous contribution to sports and to football in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis”.
Last year, he was one of several individuals that were recognised for the many ways they contributed to the sport.
At the time of his passing, he was a member of the SKNFA Referees Committee, a Referee Assessor, Match Commissioner, General Coordinator and also a coach educator in the SKNFA grassroots programme, the statement said.
He was a former referee and assistant referee of the SKNFA.
“In addition to his many other voluntary duties, Mr. Techeira made it his personal duty to collate all the results from all SKNFA League matches on a daily basis for circulating to the media houses. This ensured that the results, stats and scores were readily available for the early morning news the following day.”
Those left to mourn his passing, include his mother, other family members and an extensive group of friends and associates.
