Reggae Boy Holness mourns slaying of former teammate

National midfielder Omar Holness has led the tributes for his former Bermuda international teammate Osagi Bascome, who died tragically on Saturday.

Bascome, 23, who played for English National League team Darlington and for Bermudan club St George’s Colts, died from multiple stab wounds during an alleged altercation on the island.

Holness, who played with Bascome at Darlington and now plies his trade for National League South outfit Bath City, tweeted a video of his late teammate with the caption “Sleep easy balla.”

Other tributes came from his former Darlington teammates, including countryman Justin Donawa, who now plays for National League Solihull, who tweeted two photographs of him and spoke appreciatively about the support his slain teammate had given him.

“He never knew how much he kept me going at times,” Donawa said.

According to a Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) report, Chief Inspector Peter Stableford said nobody who was present at the scene offered information to the police and has urged those who have information to cooperate with them.

“It was established that an incident took place outside Fun Zone in St David’s, where a party was being held and we believe an altercation occurred that led to Osagi’s death. At present, we need to hear from anyone who was at the party but right now, persons who were there are not talking to us,” he said.

“We know that people saw what happened and I would urge them to do the right thing by Osagi and tell us.”

Additionally, Stableford said that early indications suggested that the stabbing was not gang-related.

According to the CMC report, a Bermuda Police Service spokesman said officers were at King Edward VII Memorial in relation to another matter at the time when Bascome was brought into the emergency department. He was transported by private vehicle but reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

HIS BERMUDA DEBUT

Bascome made his Bermuda debut in 2016 and was a member of the 2019 national team that participated in that year’s Concacaf Gold Cup tournament. He would join Darlington that year, initially until the end of the season but got an extension for the following year. He would start six league games before leaving the club in February 2020.

Darlington paid tribute to Bascome via a club’s spokesperson recently, saying he will be remembered for his role in earning a 2-2 draw with Walsall in the first round of the FA Cup on November 9, 2019.

“The club is devastated to learn of the passing of former player Osagi Bascome. Osagi joined the club in 2019, playing a memorable role in our FA Cup tie at Walsall. Everyone from the club’s thoughts are with Osagi’s family and friends,” the spokesperson said.

Additionally, Bascome’s friend John Woolnough, who played a part in Bascome, Holness and Donawa joining Darlington, also paid tribute.

“Amazing person. Great friend. Even better footballer. Was a pleasure knowing you. RIP Osagi,” he said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com