The Wadau Na Otuoma tournament which was aimed at fundraising the burial expenses of former Western Stima midfielder Ezekiel Otuoma saw a total of Ksh 514,822 collected.The tournament that was organized by Wadau Premier League had a total of 32 teams drawn from fans with former and current footballers led by former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama taking part on Sunday 5 January at ABSA grounds.Participants had to part with a minimum of Ksh5,000 with their total contribution amounting to Ksh225,900. Football jerseys from the teams that Otuoma played for were also auctioned in the event amounting to Ksh30,200.Former AFC Leopards forward Ezekiel Otuoma passes awayElite football fans’ group Football Made in Kenya were the highest team contributors with a total of Ksh26,800 apart from the registration fee.Contribution Breakdown: Teams Contribution: Ksh 225,900Jersey signing and auction: Ksh 30,200##NAJAVA_MECA_8609861##WhatsApp Contribution: Ksh 184,822Mamba FC: Ksh 20,000Pablo & friends: Ksh 12,000Nina pento: Ksh 10,000Remembering the sports personalities Kenya lost in 2024Obongo: Ksh 5,000Football Made in Kenya (FMK): Ksh 26,800Total: Ksh 514,822.The former Western Stima, AFC Leopards and Ulinzi Stars forward succumbed to Motor Neurone Disease on Saturday 21 December 2024.Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time as it affects the cells that control voluntary muscles of the body and does not have a known cure save for management.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609893##Otuoma was first diagnosed with the condition in 2020 and has been undergoing expensive medication through the support of family, friends, football stakeholders and netizens.Wadau Premier League CEO Bob Eric Otieno expressed his gratitude to all the participants and called for increased unity of purpose amongst football stakeholders.“We came together as football fans commonly known as Wadau and the football fraternity in general as a way of bidding farewell to Otuoma through this tournament aimed at collecting money for his funeral and support to the family.Otuoma among many beneficiaries of FIFA Fund for PlayersI have never been more proud as a local fan. I want to thank everyone who showed up for this initiative. We had fans and players from all walks of life. I am also more proud because Otuoma and I come from Mbotela,” said Otieno.
