It is proving to be a dramatic year, thus far, in the field of sport, arts and culture. The deaths of Whitney Houston, Donna Summer and Robin Gibb have genuinely touched fans worldwide across every line you can think of. News of their deaths were not just another entertainment item that one sticks at the end of the 8pm news. They were headline news announcing the departure of iconic figures who did more than just make music. These acts defined music genres, raised the bar and set a new standard for their contemporaries and beyond as we reminded ourselves of their contribution to the field of human endeavour.

Even more dramatic, in this highly interconnected world, have been the climaxes to sports competitions, particularly soccer. It is to Golf that we turn to, though, for that Albatross from Louis Oosthuizen which set up a thrilling finale to this year's Augusta. Then you fast forward to Chelsea's semi final match against Barcelona, Real Madrid's penalty loss to Bayern Munich on penalties in their semi final and now the Champions League final. Difficult to argue which was the most emotional finish to a sports event but in my book the Zambian victory over Cote D'Ivoire in the African Cup of Nations, back in January has to be right at the top of emotional Richter scale. We have been truly spoilt, both for the privilege of being able to truly mourn legends who have passed on and appreciate their legacy and celebrating new legends who have made and are making their mark.Yet, we are only half way through the year! I salute those who have passed on and the living legends.

I have been lucky enough to meet a few legends in my time. A few years ago, I ran in to Jay Jay Okocha at his club #10  in Lagos. Very humble, down to earth man. It was the same when I met Kalusha Bwalya in Lusaka and this weekend when I ran to Herve Renard, the man who led Zambia to the Afcon finals. I consider myself very lucky and wish I could have had a ten minute chat rather than just a snapshot.

Here is a living legend in the mould of Dennis Liwewe. You should have seen him celebrate when Boateng scared a hat trick for AC Milan. You might find it on You Tube. In this clip, however, he says goodbye to club and national legend Inzaghi: http://www.20min.ch/sport/fussball/story/Kult-Moderator-Crudelis-bittere-Traenen-25483469

Who else would I have loved to have met? Bob Marley, Nancy Wake, Frederick Douglas and, like most men, I am yet to meet Gabrielle Union!