Former Managing Director of the Guyana Beverage Company Incorporated and sport enthusiast Robert Selman passed away on Monday in his native land of Trinidad and Tobago.
This was disclosed by Daniel Thomas, secretary of the Tucville-based unit Fruta Conquerors, the institution which Selman was mostly associated with. Selman was 75 years old.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Thomas said, On behalf of the entire Fruta Conquerors FC current and past executive members, the Guyana Football Federation, fans, supporters, parents, players past and current we would like to express our deepest condolences to the staff and management of the GBI family, the SM Jaleel family out of Trinidad and Tobago, his family and close relatives in this their moment of grief.”
He added, “Mr. Selman has been associated with the Conquerors Football Club for over two decades, and was instrumental in the club being afforded tangible financial and material support over the years. From simple beginnings in the form of boots, balls, uniforms and juices to the club receiving financial support to pay its coaches and other services.”
Under the management of Selman, the Guyana Beverage Company inked a successful partnership under its then emerging Fruta brand with Conquerors in 1998/1999 season. Since then, Fruta Conquerors have maintained the association with the company, which is based in Diamond, East Bank Demerara for 21 years, the longest partnership of any football club and a local subsidiary of a foreign entity in Guyana.
The ongoing partnership has transformed the Fruta brand into a household name, as the club has achieved tremendous success since the collaboration. This success was also acknowledged by Selman on several occasions, who stated that Fruta is the number one brand in Guyana and that Fruta Conquerors as a football team in some way has helped them to elevate the brand as the market leader. Thomas further added, “He was also very instrumental in a number of our players gaining employment with the company over the years, such was his unwavering commitment to that little community club in the Tucville. Mr. Selman’s contribution to the football fraternity did not just stop at Fruta Conquerors FC, but he also sponsored many numerous football competitions, from the junior level through to the senior divisions.” Stabroek News would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of Robert Selman as well as the staff of the Guyana Beverage Company on his passing.
