Minute’s silence for our Camille

WOMEN footballers in the kingdom, Bahrain Football Association and match officials paid a special tribute to Camille Jones before weekly league fixtures were played on the pitches close to the National Stadium in Riffa.

Camille, who died in a road accident last week, was among the early pioneers who helped establish competitive football for women and girls in the kingdom. The former GulfWeekly-sponsored tournament was organised in partnership with Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain, played at Soccer City in Janabiya and coordinated by football coach Deena Rahman, who went on to play for the national team.

She recalled that Camille was a member of the team that she first played with when arriving on the island, the Bahrain Rugby Football Club ladies team. “Camille was very welcoming and we became instant friends,” said Deena.

Camille later played in goal for Seef Dental and many of the players now playing under the official BFA umbrella used to either play with or against her.

Last Wednesday evening, four teams - Muharraq Club Tekkers, Ravens, Super Soccer and Eastern Flames held a minute’s silence in memory of Camille, standing in tribute alongside match officials and a BFA representative.