FIFA referee, national athlete & GDF officer, Maurees Skeete, remembered for excellence, service”

As the sporting fraternity continues to mourn the passing of former national athlete and FIFA referee Maurees Skeete, Director of Sport at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Steve Ninvalle, described Skeete as one of Guyana’s most outstanding sports officials and all-round athletes, noting that her impact was felt across multiple sporting disciplines.
He noted that her name consistently stood out in our sporting landscape, with her excellent work as a referee earning her nominations on several occasions in the Sports Official category at the National Sports Awards, which speaks volumes about the respect she commanded and the standard she maintained throughout her career.
“She was an all-round sportsperson of the highest quality, but her excellence as a football referee took her to the very top. Achieving FIFA accreditation and earning regional recognition placed her among the best to ever represent Guyana in that capacity,” Ninvalle added.

Meanwhile, former president of the Guyana Football Referees Council Dion Inniss described Skeete as someone who set a standard of excellence and was remarkably fit and dedicated.
“I had the privilege of officiating many matches alongside Maurees Skeete, with her in the middle. She was a remarkably fit and dedicated referee, whose professionalism and composure on the field earned the respect of players, officials and fans alike.”
He added that Skeete represented Guyana with distinction within the Confederation, carrying the flag proudly and setting a standard for excellence. Off the field, he described her as equally memorable – jovial, approachable and always easy to get along with.
“Her laughter and warmth made every gathering lighter, and her spirit of camaraderie strengthened the bonds within our refereeing family. In her personal journey, Maurees showed immense courage as she fought her illness with grace and resilience. Her strength was inspiring, and her legacy will remain a beacon for all who knew her.”
He expressed his condolences to the family and the football fraternity. Skeete passed after her long battle with cancer. At the time of her passing, she was a Warrant Officer Class II attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Skeete was enlisted in the GDF on March 12, 2004, and steadily progressed through the ranks by merit, professionalism, and consistent performance. Throughout her career, she demonstrated perseverance, adaptability, and commitment to duty, culminating in her promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer Class II on January 1, 2024.

Her professional development was supported by the successful completion of numerous military and instructional courses, including the Drill Course, Skill-at-Arms Instructor Course, and the Grade Three Music Course. She also pursued academic advancement, earning qualifications in computer science and music theory, reflecting a strong commitment to self-improvement and excellence.
Beyond her military career, she also excelled in national and international sport, bringing further credit to the GDF and to Guyana. In 2014, she made history in football officiating after attaining FIFA International Referee status, distinguishing herself in a highly competitive field with limited regional representation.
Her professionalism and consistency on the field earned her multiple Referee of the Year awards from the Guyana Football Federation, as well as a rare nomination for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Female Referee of the Year in 2015, an honour that year bestowed on only one female official from the Caribbean.
In recognition of her faithful and disciplined service, she was awarded the 40th Anniversary Medal, the 50th Anniversary Medal, and the Military Efficiency Medal, reflecting her long-standing dedication to the GDF and national service.
She will be remembered as a firm but fair leader, a committed instructor, and a dependable warrant officer who took pride in her duties and responsibilities.