The city has been in mourning following the tragic passing of Leicester City Club chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Mr Vichai was killed with four other passengers, in an untimely accident on Saturday night after the club’s 1-1 draw with West Ham and fans are still coming to terms with the loss, as are the team at Pukaar News.
The tragic accident has shocked the football world and even today, almost three days later, fans are still flocking to the club to pay tributes to the 60-year-old Thai billionaire.
Mr Vichai, bought Leicester City for £39m in 2010 and it was during his ownership that the Foxes went onto win the Premier League in 2016. Many called it one of the greatest sporting stories of all time and thrusted the city into the media spotlight making 2016 a year many football fans, and locals will never forget.
In a poignant scene, Leicester vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Mr Vichai’s son laid a floral tribute at the King Power Stadium yesterday. Elsewhere at the Jalaram Temple on Narborough Road, local devotees gathered – some donning their official LCFC supporter scarves – to pay respect to the passengers and pilot in the helicopter.
Pramodbhai Thakkar, Chairman of Jalaram Charitable Trust said: “We all need to grieve together and as Hindu’s we believe when we all get together in grief, it lessens the pain to a family, to an institute to the society in Leicester hence we’ve decided to all get together today to walk with the wreath to the football stadium to grieve the tragic death of five people. That’s what humanity is about.”
Meanwhile, Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO), spoke on behalf of the local Muslim community saying: “I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, his family and all of those that lost their lives in the tragic incident near the King Power Stadium on Saturday. I would also like to commend the First Responders and medical teams at the scene who serve us all, we are very fortunate to have them.” He then went on to say: “Vichai felt he could change the community for the better and wanted to be a part of it. He was a role model for many and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.”
BBC Radio Leicester is organising a multi-faith and no-faith moment for sports fans to gather to remember the tragic loss of the five people on the helicopter and wear their sports colours. Representatives from other sports clubs have also been invited to attend the event taking place at the Jalaram Temple on Narborough Road from 6-7pm, Tuesday 30th October.
