A MEMORIAL tournament is being held to mark what would have been the 21st birthday of a talented young Limerick soccer player who lost his life in a tragic jet ski accident last year.
Wassiou Ayawe Moran, who played with Limerick FC, died after falling from his jet ski in an accident in Killaloe last May.
The young man, from Grattan Court, Old Clare Street, had been hailed as one of the most talented players the club had ever seen.
Wassiou’s former foster mother, Sandra Byrnes, is organising the tournament, following a similar event last year.
This year’s event will be held once again at Pike Rovers club house on July 6 and all proceeds from the day will go to the Ballina Search and Rescue service, who recovered the young man from the water.
The tournament will involve 10 teams, with Wassiou’s brother Jordan heading one team and friends of the late player making up five others.
Members of Ms Byrne’s family and friends will field other teams.
A cup will be presented to the winning team along with medals for the players, there will also be spot prizes on the day.
“My main goal and focus is to keep Wassiou’s memory alive and to give a donation again to Ballina Search and Rescue,” Sandra told the Limerick Post.
Proceeds of a raffle full of prizes including tattoo vouchers and beauty treatments will go to the rescue service and supporters can also donate to the tournament if they can’t play or attend.
Sandra has organised a personalised football with Wassiou’s name and face on it to be used in the final game. The commemorative ball will be left on the young soccer player’s grave afterwards.
The tournament will take place over four days before what would have been Wassiou’s 21st birthday.
“The birthday should have been celebrated in Spain as he had planned, but unfortunately God had other plans, so this is the only thing I can do for him to honour that – apart from holding him forever in my heart,” said Sandra.
