Expressions of sympathy to the family of the late Godwin McPherson came yesterday from Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar and the New Jersey-based non-profit organization, Haynes Foundation.
McPherson, the former President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, a position which he held since 1991, passed away on Monday at St Joseph Mercy hospital after being hospitalized due to a transient ischemic attack, more commonly known as ‘stroke’.
Contacted yesterday by Stabroek Sport, Minister Anthony said that upon receiving the news he was saddened since he had worked closely with the former GABF president since he was member of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
“This Ministry is very saddened by the passing of Mr. McPherson.
He was someone who was very liberal and was also part of the NSC where his input was always very important. So I would personally like to give my condolences and that of the ministry to the family and friends of Godwin McPherson,” Anthony said.
In a release from the ministry, said they would remember McPherson for his stand on discipline while administering the sport of basketball.
It stated further that there were those who disagreed with his approaches but from a military background, perhaps, he stood firm in the interest of basketball.
Meanwhile Director of Sport Neil Kumar seemed very moved when this newspaper reached him yesterday, and he noted that he had visited McPherson while he was ill at the hospital and spoke to his wife, and was told then that he was stable but still not that well.
Kumar said that he had worked closely with the retired Guyana Defence Force Colonel and remembers that the last time Guyana was successful at the male basketball event of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) in 2007, it was under the stewardship of McPherson, since he was also on the standing committee of the Games.
The Haynes Foundation which is headed by brothers Paul and Patrick Haynes has been working closely with McPherson for a number of years and are known as advocates for the development of basketball in Guyana and they also act as an overseas correspondent for the GABF.
The release from the US-based NGO reads: “To the family of Godwin McPherson and to the Guyana Basketball Fraternities. It was with a great sense of loss when we the Haynes Foundation heard of the passing of Ret. Col. Godwin McPherson.
“We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy, and our hearts are truly saddened. Mr. McPherson was more than just a wonderful person; he was instrumental in the development of Guyana basketball. We know that his passing will not only leave a void in the lives he has touched, but in the hearts of all those who knew him.”
McPherson was a member of the GDF for a number of years where he retired as Colonel.
Stabroek Sport joins the rest of the sporting fraternity, particularly those in basketball, in conveying our deepest sympathy to the family of the late Godwin McPherson.
