Long-serving president of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), Gokarn Ramdhani, passed away on Friday night.
Ramdhani, who’s passion and dedication to sports transcended badminton, sent shockwaves through the sports fraternity in Guyana with his passing.
According to reports, the 55-year-old suffered a heart attack in Canada where he serves as the head coach at Olds College in Canada.
His two children, number one female and male players Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani respectively, are also both in Canada where they are studying on scholarships.
Ramdhani, who served as GBA head since 2006, held several positions including Council Member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).
President of the GOA, K.A. Juman-Yassin took to his social media account and stated, “I am so saddened at the passing of my dear friend Gokarn Ramdhani. He was as president of the Guyana Badminton Federation always up to date with his reports etc. Indeed, he was invariably the first. Guyana and moreso sport, has lost a great son and leader. My condolences to his dear wife, children and family,” he posted.
Also offering words of support to the family was president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster.
“He was the president of the Guyana Badminton Association and father to our country’s finest badminton players. He was the driving force of the game in our country and was one of our best and committed sports administrator,” Foster posted on Social Media.
Foster added, “I had the privilege of meeting him once during a visit to Georgetown and was taken back by his passion and commitment to making a difference via sports. Our country is poorer this morning without him and it is my sincere hope that the others in the sport would continue his work. Rest in peace Sir, and to his loved ones – Emily, Narayan and Priyanna, I pray that God would comfort and protect you during these very dark times. We share in your grief but we also join you in celebrating his remarkable work on earth and the memories he left with you.”
Ramdhani also served as the owner/head coach of Yonex Badminton Club, Council Member of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation, Vice-President Communications of Badminton Pan American Confederation and Second Vice-President of the Confederation Central American and Caribbean Badminton.
