Plans to Mark 50th Anniversary of ‘Thunder’ Balogun’s Passage Unveiled

The family of football icon, Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, have commenced plans to mark the 50th Anniversary of his demise next year.

At a crowded press conference yesterday at the SWAN Secretariat, National Stadium in Lagos, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, explained that the reason behind the anniversary celebration is in three-fold:

“Firstly, to celebrate and eternally etch in the memory of Nigerians, the exploits of a footballing and coaching giant who left indelible footprints on the sands of Nigerian football.

“To encourage past and present generation of footballers and coaches to continue to do their best for the nation under the maxim: ‘If Tesim Thunder Balogun is not forgotten, you will not be forgotten and to establish a foundation in the name of Teslim (Thunder Balogun) through which the welfare of footballers could be promoted,” said Ladipo who also doubles as President General Nig. Football & Other Sports Supporters Club.

To mark the unique occasion later next year, the committee has put in place some activities that includes: Exhibition and documentary on the life, football and coaching adventures of Teslim Thunder Balogun expected to be declared open by the Minister for Sports with the support of the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and the activities will start from Monday July 25 to Saturday July 30, 2022.

Other programmes include public lectures on ‘Teslim Thunder Balogun: The man, his career and his impact’, by Chief Festus Onigbinde, a former Green Eagles Coach, and ‘From Thunder Balogun to the present generation: The Role of Supporters Club in the making of Nigerian Football, by Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, President-General Worldwide, Nigerian Football and other Sports Supporters Club’.

The programme is expected to be declared open by Lekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines & Steel and the launch of Teslim Thunder Balogun Foundation among others.