BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE sporting and education fraternities lost one of their dedicated members yesterday (Feb. 15) in the person of Steadroy ‘Tish’ Techeira, an event which left countless individuals in grief.
A Physical Education teacher at the Washington Archibald High School and a member of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association, Tish, as he was affectionately known, was found dead in his home yesterday morning.
His unfortunate demise came as a shock to many and as some have indicated, the void that his passing has left, cannot be filled.
General Secretary of the SKNFA Stanley Jacobs, told SKNVibes that the news came to “huge shock” to that organization and he described him as a selfless individual.
“We at the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association are saddened by the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, Steadroy ‘Tish’ Techiera. It definitively came as a huge shock to us and it is indeed a significant loss; not only for the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association but, I believe, for the entire sporting fraternity, communities, schools – because (he) served selflessly. He gave of his time, he gave of everything to the cause that he served and we at the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association will indeed miss his presence.
“He made a significant contribution to the sport of football. He was a previous FIFA Assistant Referee between 1999 and 2000. He is a former SKNFA Referee and Assistant Referee, SKNFA Match Commissioner and General Coordinator.”
Jacobs informed that at the time of his passing, ‘Tish’ was a member of the SKNFA’s Referees Committee and played an integral role in the organisation’s grassroots programme which takes place on Saturday mornings. He was one of the instructors.
“Indeed it is a sad loss. He also played a huge role in our Saturday Morning Grassroots programme where we bring together more than 100 children between the ages of 6-12 introducing them to football at a very early age.”
Speaking specifically to one of Tish’s acts of selflessness and volunteerism, Jacobs focused on his decision to update the nation on matches which would have played on a daily basis.
“What is so significant about the contribution of Mr. Techeira, is his volunteerism. He was the person who took it upon himself to, on a daily basis, collate all the scores and results from all of the SKNFA matches and disseminate that information to the local media so that they can have it ready for airing first thing in the morning. It was a significant contribution that he made; an entirely voluntary effort. And it was a huge, huge, huge part of what people looked forward to every morning in hearing the scores and the results from the matches of the previous days. And that is a contribution that (he) made voluntarily for many, many years.
“So words cannot express the loss that we at the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association felt hearing of his untimely passing. We are indeed saddened. He will be deeply missed by all of us.”
The General Secretary said the SKNFA will be honouring ‘Tish’ “in a big way” but the committee would have to sit down and decided on exactly how that will be done.
In the meantime however, he said permission is being sought of officials at the CONCACAF Championships in Costa Rica – for the U-20 team to “honour the life and work of Mr. Techeira by wearing the black band”.
The team is expected to engage in their first match on Saturday (Feb. 18).
'Tish' has been described as an unsung hero and a community service icon.
The Management and Staff of SKNVibes extend condolences to Tish's family, friends and colleagues and other loved ones.
