Gokarn Ramdhani remembered for stellar contributions to sport at memorial

There was an outpouring of emotion last Saturday evening as those who were close to him came to grips with the untimely loss of Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) President Gokarn Ramdhani.
The GBA President suffered a heart attack in Canada, and subsequently succumbed approximately two weeks ago.
Gathering at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) for a memorial service were past and present players, sport administrators, and students along with family and friends of the late Ramdhani.
Ramdhani, after playing the sport since his high school days at Queen’s College, went on to become one of Guyana’s national players. In the 1980s, he turned to coaching at the Yonex Badminton Club, which he was the President of, up until his death.

As such, not only had Ramdhani met scores of persons along his badminton journey around the globe, he also introduced many Guyanese to the sport. While only a fraction of the persons he came into contact with could have been present at the CASH on Saturday, the tributes paid were profoundly heartfelt and painted Ramdhani’s jovial character in great light.
Guyana Table Tennis Federation (GTTF) President Godfrey Munroe presented his tribute on the behalf of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), hailing Ramdhani’s dedication to the sport of badminton.

“On behalf of the executive committee of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), we would just like to extend our condolences to you, Emily [his widow] and family at this point in time. Gokarn truly epitomised someone who is an exemplar sports administrator – proficient, pragmatic, effervescent and very dedicated and committed. We’ve lost a true administrator, a true friend and someone who truly loved and committed his life to sport,” Munroe noted.
Lusignan Golf Club Secretary Chet Bowling, who is also an avid badminton player and personal friend of Ramdhani, spoke of the positive example he has set in every aspect of his life. Crafting his tribute in the form of a letter, Bowling shared many fond memories of Ramdhani and his knack for wearing many hats.
“I cannot end this letter without telling you how much your dedication and passion for badminton was an inspiration to me and many others. In the words of one of the club members, you are a friend, a mentor and a father figure to many. We will miss you dearly; rest in peace, my brother,” a visibly distraught Bowling said.
One of many players who were introduced to the sport by the late Ramdhani, Mishka Beharry expressed her gratitude for the guidance that the Coach showed in the sport and everyday life.
“I’m thankful that you have chosen to come to remember how wonderful, kind, caring, friendly and heart-warming Coach Ramdhani really was. He really meant a lot to me. He was an excellent role model, disciplinarian and always performed his job well,” the emotional teenager stated.

“Only recently, he took the time to speak with me personally, to encourage me to stay focused and keep on the right path, and this is one of the many examples of how Coach really cared about us. Not only was he a great role model to me, he was a great role model and father to Priyanna and Narayan,” Beharry shared before being reduced to tears.
Also sharing life-altering sentiments was Dr Anna Perreira, who used the sport as an escape from many of life’s challenges, thanks to the late Ramdhani.
“Each of you here know him in a different capacity: as a father, a husband, an uncle, a friend. I’ve known him as Coach for more than half of my life and in many ways, he’s been like a dad to myself and my sister,” a tearful Perreira explained.
She continued, “Badminton was my saviour. Coach, in many ways, was a saviour. Because of him, and his passion for badminton, our lives, like so many others, have changed. Badminton helped me stay fit, focused, connect with others and we all know that Coach had a tenacity for making people connect. He brought everyone together.”
Gokarn Ramdhani is remembered as an outspoken, opinionated, and passionate pioneer of the sport of badminton in Guyana.