‘The Whole’ symbolised everything in football — WAFA tribute to Sam Arday
Sorrows come in great waves --- but it rolls over us, and though it may smother us. It passes and we remain. —Henry James.
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A big tree has fallen. Yes, a sudden blow has hit us. The wicked hand of death has laid its icy hands on an Iroko Tree in West African Football Academy.
Oh God, why at this time?
“But he is the lord, He will do whatever seems best to him” (1 Samuel 3:18)
The late Mr, Sam Hemans Arday had been the technical director of Feyenoord Fetteh Football Academy which had metaphorsized in to West African Football Academy (WAFA) since its conception and establishment in 1999.
Coach Arday, affectionately called “The Whole,” or “Multi-System Man,” was one of the few coache who helped to raise the image of football to the State-of- the-art accolade that the nation is currently enjoying.
Coach Arday was a coach, teacher and a researcher of high repute. The meticulous manner in which he prepared his training programmes had been widely acclaimed by all his students, coaches and players across the decades. We will continue to remember him for his extraordinary knowledge, teaching and coaching abilities.
He was instrumental and also guided several coaches and players to achieve high levels of excellence in the knowledge of football. He was, indeed, a man of many parts, who combined excellent teaching and coaching capabilities with societal concerns and commitments.
“THE Whole” was an extremely humble man. Despite his monumental achievements, his humility and dedication to work were exemplary. He will be dearly remembered by all his students, players and colleagues as an affectionate and beloved “Teacher,” who gave his best to coaches, players and the WAFA. His qualities reflected in everything he did to the very last days before he gave up the ghost.
Indeed, whatever Fetteh Feyenoord Academy were, and WAFA now are, are largely owed to his astute leadership in his field.
Coach Arday your unexpected death on the faithful February 12, 2017, has really caused a great pain in our hearts and has also created a big vacuum in the lives of your staff, players and West African Football Academy.
Oh “The Whole”….. Here lays a man of extreme knowledge, love, compassion, wisdom, foresight, very principled, industrious, coach, a philosopher and a good counsellor. We salute you.
“His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all world, this is a man,” as described by William Shakespeare.
Indeed, you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. What is left now is the crown of victory which lies in the hands of your Maker.
Coach Sam Arday – Adieu
Coach Sam Arday– Damirifa Due
“The Whole” – Yaawoodjogbann