GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani passes away after suffering heart attack

Guyana’s sport fraternity has been thrown into mourning after news of the passing of Gokarn Ramdhani, President of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), began circulating late on Friday night.
The late Gokarn Ramdhani had been a highly accomplished player, and had been responsible for not only the local Association, but for churning out some of the best Guyanese players, including his two children, Narayan and Priyanna.
Reports indicate that Ramdhani suffered a massive heart attack in Canada, where he worked as Head Coach of the Olds’ College team. His children are also in Canada, where they are currently on scholarship at Kings University and Olds’ College.

Aside from serving as President of the GBA, Ramdhani was appointed Head Coach of the Olds’ College ‘Broncos’, in Alberta, Canada in November 2020. He was also the Owner/Head Coach of the Yonex Badminton Club (YBC) in Guyana, a Council member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Council Member at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO), Vice President, Communications, of the Badminton Pan American Confederation (BPAC) and 2nd Vice President of the Confederation of Central American & Caribbean Badminton (CONCECABA).
Locally, Ramdhani had overseen badminton clubs at Marian Academy and Queen’s College, which he had attended.
In extending condolences, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) memorialised Ramdhani for his dedication to sport.
Their statement read, “It is with shock and great sadness that the Guyana Olympic Association has learnt of the passing last evening of Mr. Gokarn Ramdhani, President of the Guyana Badminton Association, Council member of the GOA, and an executive member of several Regional Bodies.
“Mr. Ramdhani will be remembered for his passion and dedication to sport, and more especially the development of badminton in Guyana, the sport that was dearest (to) his heart, and (he) was the father and coach of two of the Caribbean’s most outstanding badminton players.
“The GOA has had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Ramdhani during his time as a Council member, and for his sterling and outstanding contributions made over the years to the activities of the Guyana Olympic Association. Mr. Ramdhani has represented the GOA on several occasions with distinction at regional and international games, be it as Chef De Mission, Manager, or Coach.
“The sporting fraternity has suffered a tremendous loss, and more so Guyana has lost a great son and leader.
“On behalf of the President, Executive and members of the Guyana Olympic Association, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children and other members of the Ramdhani family; friends, executive and members of the Guyana Badminton Association. May his soul rest in peace.”
President of the GOA, K.A. Juman-Yassin, also shared on his own behalf, “It was with a deep sense of shock and disbelief that I woke up to the tragic news that my dear friend and colleague in sports, Gokarn Ramdhani, has died the previous night in Alberta, Canada.
“Gokarn was the long-serving President of the Guyana Badminton Federation and an active Council member of the Guyana Olympic Association. He served as chef-de-mission for us on more than one occasion, and could have been relied upon to complete any task that he undertook. His competence and ability were recognised not only in Guyana, but internationally, as he served as an executive member of his sports body and was employed as the Badminton coach at a university in Alberta.
“I would like to express to his dear wife and two children the sincere condolences of myself and all the members of the Guyana Olympic Association. His effervescent personality will be truly missed.”
The Queen’s College Old Students Association (QCOSA) also shared their condolences in a prepared statement.
That statement read, “The Queen’s College family has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Alumnus Mr. Gokarn Ramdhani.
“Alumnus Ramdhani served as the backbone of Badminton at Queen’s College through the Yonex Badminton Club, ensuring that the Queen’s College Badminton Team was always in stellar shape for inter-school competitions, and also the Guyana Team, which comprised Queen’s College students, for regional and international competitions, thus securing many successes.
“He held several posts, including President of the Guyana Badminton Association, Second Vice President of the Confederation Central American and Caribbean Badminton (CONCECABA), Council Member of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO), Council Member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Vice President Communications-Badminton Pan American Confederation (BPAC).
“He leaves to mourn his wife Ms. Emilia Ramdhani, his two children Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani, his extended family, and the badminton and sporting community.
“The Queen’s College Old Students’ Association extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Gokarn Ramdhani, the local, regional and international Badminton and Sporting community. His contribution is immeasurable and invaluable. His legacy will live on through the numerous lives he has touched. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
In addition, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) shared their condolences, stating, “On behalf of the RHTYSC, BCB, my family and myself, I would like to express deepest condolences to the family of the late (Gokarn) Ramdhani, who died recently after suffering a massive heart attack in Canada. 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.
“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.”