PHOTOS: Tearful farewell for STATHS footballer Omar Laing
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Slain national youth footballer Omar Laing was remembered Wednesday as a jovial teenager who was a positive influence on his friends at school and in his community.
According to those who spoke at Laing’s funeral service at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), the school he attended, Laing’s personality drew others to him, which was epitomised by the hundreds who turned out for his farewell, which lasted approximately two hours.
Many of those in attendance were visibly distraught and unable to hold back tears. Laing’s mother, Melorine Gizart was too grief-stricken to offer her scheduled tribute.
Laing’s STATHS family was well represented, and included the netball and football teams, academic staff, past students and other members.
He was the top goalscorer in last season’s shortened Corporate Area schoolboy Manning Cup football competition, a rising star in the sport before unknown assailants, who alighted from a motorcar and shot him, brutally cut his life short on April 22.
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He was celebrating his 18th birthday the same day and had recently started training with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) outfit Cavalier before he was killed, leaving behind a mourning mother and a toddler.
Kenneth Howell, who represented the STATHS football’s Strategic Framework Committee, said Laing’s personality and attitude inspired many individuals during his short life.