Dear Editor,
In the basketball community, there’s been much controversy surrounding the late Colonel Godwin McPherson. Generally it’s the result of the belief by some that the advancement of the sport he governed hasn’t happened at a fast enough pace. But those who knew him best could attest to the fact that the flaws in basketball could not be solely blamed on this one man. I learned early on that the problems and politics that engulf basketball in Guyana are far more intricate than naysayers let themselves see.
More importantly, the man that some critics saw is not the man I remember. The man I remember wasn’t perfect, but he was a perfectionist; he was meticulous, disciplined, and purposeful in his every endeavour and he expected no less from the people around him. The man I remember had an answer for everything and in his stubbornness he forced us to perfect our arguments. The man I remember had so much ‘swagger’ that when he walked into the Sports Hall the most arrogant baller/coach/channa man or whoever else could be humbled by his presence. The man I remember sat for hours in my living room convincing my doubtful aunt, whom I lived with, that he saw something special in me; a man so charismatic and charming that after their conversation, my aunt would rush me out the door to basketball practice. Imagine that. I smile when I think of him now.
Mr Godwin McPherson was what we call a ‘Mack,’ as suave as they come, overbearingly confident and intensely engaging. Simply put, he inspired me and I mourn his death deeply. My only regret is that the man I remember never got to hear me say this. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire basketball and military community. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Yours faithfully,
Jerrilee Johnson
