NAIROBI, Kenya, September 22 – A model professional, stickler for perfection and a father figure in Kenyan sports.
These were some of the glowing phrases used to describe Sean Cardovillis during a memorial service for the Capital FM sports presenter at the Consolata Shrine on Friday.
Hundreds of personalities who had interacted with Sean in the sports landscape gathered to pay tribute to a man who had carved out a longstanding reputation as the ‘Voice of Sports’ over the years.
Sean, who passed away two weeks ago, was the founder of Capital FM’s Saturday Music and Sports Show, which has ruled the airwaves for over two decades and nurtured the careers of so many budding sports journalists in the country.
Speaker after speaker spoke of how Sean was a sportsman to the bone who always performed his duties with zeal and perfection.
“Sean was passionate about sports…he was passionate about motorsports. He was very specific about how he wanted his clips to be cut. He was particular about the quality of the clips. He taught many of us production,” longtime friend and media personality Eddy Kimani said.
Nation Media Group (NMG) lead editor for sports, Elias Makori, also praised Cardovillis’ professional approach to his obligations, pointing out the manner in which he impressively performed as the Master of Ceremonies at the World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally.
“He was the best when it came to motorsports. His work at the WRC Safari Rally earned him a lot of plaudits from many of those who had attended the event. Sean was a man who never burned bridges as can be seen in the fact that he came from Capital FM to Nation before returning to Capital without any hitches,” Makori said.
Sean, who turned 50 in February this year, had returned to Capital FM less than six months ago.
Fan tributes
Fans of the Saturday Music and Sports show also reminisced how Cardovillis voice had shaped their childhoods and made them fall in love with sports.
“Sean, wherever I am in this world, when I hear the song by Modjo – Lady, you automatically come to mind. Growing up as a kid, Saturday Music and Sport was the best part of my weekends,” Carol Songa said.
Another listener of the show also spoke of the common love for English Premier League (EPL) club, Arsenal.
“Will miss our “Voice of Sport”, my Arsenal Fan Team mate and that very that infectious smile. Rest in Peace dear Sean,” Piety Celestino Goes said.
Others lauded Sean for his impeccable handling of the WRC Safari Rally and for making it a memorable event.
“Sean, wherever I am in this world, when I hear the song by Modjo – Lady, you automatically come to mind. Growing up as a kid, Saturday Music and Sport was the best part of my weekends,” Jackie Arkle said.
In his childhood, Sean was a multitalented sportsperson who competed in various disciplines including cricket, rugby, athletics, swimming, squash, and motorcycling, among others.
He was cremated last week in a ceremony attended by family and close friends.
May he rest in peace.
