TRIBUTES continue to pour in for the departed former basketball coach Terrence Kagande who died in a suspected gas explosion along with his wife and two kids last week.
Kagande (49), his wife Cindy (42) and kids Jade (16) and Isiah (13) died in their sleep after inhaling gas in Bloemfontein in South Africa, with their immediate family ruling out any foul play.
Shinga Magede, an International Basketball Federation commissioner and Kagande’s erstwhile colleague, said he was a fine gentleman.
“It’s hard to stomach how tragic his life and that of his whole family had to end. He was a talented player in his playing days, a firm and just referee and a competent and dedicated administrator. We will miss him dearly,” said Magede.
South Africa based Bernard Jiro added, “He was like a rolling stone sports consultant. He was passionate about the discovering of raw talent and its polishing. I knew him because of what he did for us helping to structure a club from scratch. He had involvement in the school’s basketball programmes as well. His involvement spanned many a basketball generation where he was known as a straight shooter when it came to problem-solving. He touched many basketball lives.”
Edmund Mutetwa present-day generation of young basketball coaches said Kagande’s void would be difficult to fill.
“He was a loyal servant of Zimbabwe sport, naturally talented coached who produced stars that were a marvel to watch in any discipline he coached. When I meet coach Terry, I was still a rookie player at the Cavaliers, and he was like a father figure to all the younger players and me. I believe it’s high time the ministry of Sport creates space where we can honour and commemorate our sports legends,” said Mutetwa.
