Football joins with many other New Zealand sports to mourn the death of businessman and philanthropist Sir Eion Edgar, aged 76.
Sir Eion who was Queenstown-based, had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
He had been the Honorary Patron of the New Zealand Football Foundation, supporting football along with many other sports. He had personally donated $500,000 to the Foundation.
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said: “Sir Eion’s energy, drive and generosity has been truly immense. He leaves a tremendous legacy and on behalf of all New Zealanders, I would like to extend my thanks for everything he has done and how this has benefited people and communities.
“As he would often remind people we were both Otago University graduates and share our love for the region. Even as a young student president nearly 30 years ago I appreciated working with Sir Eion. We may not have agreed on everything, but he was always respectful and encouraging – I will miss him greatly.”
Sir Eion had been a trustee of the Halberg Disability Foundation and President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
He played a key role in the development and funding of Forsyth Barr Stadium and the Edgar Sports Centre in Dunedin, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest single-building indoor sports arena.
Sir Eion Edgar (January 30, 1945 — June 14, 2021)
Photo: Courtesy of Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
More about Sir Eion Edgar
Click here for more about the achievements of Sir Eion Edgar at the NZ Football Foundation website >>>>
