SVGFF expresses sadness over Omar Millington’s passing

The secretariat of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation has expressed sadness over the passing of emerging match official Omar “Chiney” Millington.

Millington, 32, who had taken up officiating two years ago, was found dead last Saturday morning at Sion Hill Bay.

“The reports of the brutality of his death, has left us with a profound sense of dread… What could have driven someone to commit such a heinous act is a thought we are unable to fathom,” an SVGFF release stated.

According to a release, Millington, along with others, were part of a development plan to offer to get them up to speed with the rudiments of match officiating.

“In fact, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation was hoping to have him on the FIFA Referees List in 2019, but alas, fate has decided otherwise,” the release said.

It was revealed that hours before his death, Millington had visited the SVGFF’s secretariat to inquire about a number of matters relating to football and refereeing and he was in high spirits, reaffirming that he was ready to officiate.

In the continued honour of Millington’s contribution to football, the SVGFF stated: “What we do know is that the sport of football has been robbed of one of its rising stars with the whistle, someone who would have through Omar Millington exploits in the middle, be a role model for young men and women to want to become referees… St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation salute the role of Omar Millington in furthering the development of the sports”.

A former goalkeeper with the defunct Prospect FC, Millington’s ability was good enough that he was part of a St Vincent and the Grenadines training squad; however, he never made the final cut.

After his active playing days, Millington became a member of the SVG Referees Association and officiated in various community league competitions, as well as competitions directly under the SVGFF banner.

“The executive, staff and coaches, general body/affiliates, referees association and the football family has been left without a friend, a brother, a mentor and lover of the sport of football… To his family and friends and the many left saddened by his passing, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation extend sincerest condolences,” the SVGFF release noted.