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Emotions run high as West Nile remembers former Onduparaka star Agau

Players, stakeholders, fans and family of deceased Rashid Agau pose for a group photo with his children prior to the match. PHOTOS/COURTESY 

What you need to know:

A memorial match between West Nile Province and Acholi Province was organised by the West Nile Players Association in collaboration with the West Nile Region Football Association and Onduparaka Football Club, to honor his legacy.

Emotions ran high on Saturday as thousands of passionate sportsmen, football fans, family, friends, and former teammates of the deceased Rashid Agau gathered at Green Light Stadium in Arua to remember him.

Agau, who until his death in August last year was playing for Onduparaka, was honored as a man who dedicated his life to serving his community through sports.

Affectionately known as T9, Agau, whose roots can be traced to URA FC, Arua Hill Sports Club, and Maroons Sports Club, was described as an athlete who was dedicated to promoting football in the West Nile region.

This, speakers said he did, through actively mentoring young players and contributing to grassroots programs throughout the area.

A memorial match between West Nile Province and Acholi Province was organised by the West Nile Players Association in collaboration with the West Nile Region Football Association and Onduparaka Football Club, to honor his legacy.

Before this game, two friendly matches, one between Onduparaka fans and the Arua Media Team, and the other between Friends of Agau Rashid Arua and Friends of Agau Rashid Diaspora were played.

Organisers also aimed at fundraising Shs35m to support his family and the ongoing projects he left behind. West Nile Province won the match by 4-2

Hussein Ezzy, the coordinator of the memorial match, lauded all the well-wishers for their support and pledged continued assistance to Agau's family.

“We want to express our gratitude to everyone who attended this successful event. All the funds raised from this match will be donated to the family of the late Agau,.

He added, “We are also committed to supporting all the projects that Agau initiated, honoring his kindness and generosity, which earned him great respect and a lasting philanthropic legacy in Arua.”

West Nile Province (L) and Acholi Province players battle during the Rashid Agau memorial match. 

David Karebino Majok, a prominent patron of Onduparaka, praised the fans for their turnout and assured them that the club would continue to support Agau's family.

“Agau may be gone, but we will stand by you. I assure you that as part of the West Nile Fufa Drum, my team Onduparaka, and on my behalf, we will be with you,” Majok said.

Madina Naham, the NRM Director of Finance and Administration who contributed Shs3m during the fundraiser praised the people for loving their own both in life and death.

Ronald Debo, the aspiring MP for Arua Central, reflected on Agau's career, encouraging Ugandans to live with integrity and leave behind a legacy of values.

“I urged fellow citizens to live with integrity, reflecting the values he upheld in life. Continue resting in eternal peace, Agau,” he said.

The memorial match for Agau was not just a tribute to his footballing career but also a celebration of the man who left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

As fans slowly made their way out of Greenlight stadium, there was a sense of closure, but also an enduring belief that Agau’s spirit would forever be a part of the game of football in West Nile.