Long-serving Banks DIH executive and sport enthusiast Kenneth De Abreu CCH passed away yesterday morning in the United States of America.
De Abreu was a longstanding member of the National Sports Council and was appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission in 1993. He was regarded as a true lover of sport.
A statement from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport yesterday said that the former President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s passing came as a genuine shock to individuals, sport enthusiasts and sport administrators throughout Guyana.
It went on to state that his death has signalled an irreplaceable loss to Guyana’s sporting fraternity. He was involved in many sports disciplines, but excelled at table tennis, his first love.
He also served as an executive on weightlifting and boxing associations. He was described as an administrator of a high calibre.
“Ken’s inspiration touched those with whom he worked but would not be available to the current generation of Sports Administrators, Executives and Managers, the statement said.
De Abreu was described as a proactive sport administrator, who also excelled at his workplace where he rose to the position of Director with beverage giant, Banks DIH Limited. He retired several years ago after decades of service.
He also served as the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Mayor and City Council. He was tasked with managing the affairs of the Council, which at the time was experiencing severe difficulties.
As Chairman of the NSC he was considered a father figure, who “shared of his knowledge and experience and never shirked responsibilities”.
“At the National Sports Commission, none can forget his tremendous contributions to the development of sport in his homeland”, the release stated.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission expressed its profound condolences to his immediate and extended families, relatives, colleagues, friends and all those persons who were associated to this De Abreu.
