Sporting fraternities condemn Berbice double-murder, violent protests

Guyana’s major sports organisations on Thursday issued a joint statement regarding the current hostile situation in Guyana, stemming from the murders of three teenage boys.
Being part of something that usually brings Guyanese together for the enjoyment of sport and recreational activities, the fraternities felt obligated to condemn the gruesome murders of the youths and the actions of persons who have sought to taint the protests which stemmed from the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry.

The statement read:
We, the National Sports Federations/Associations of Guyana, call on the nation to unite and condemn the senseless killings that have taken place on the West Coast of Berbice. We are deeply troubled by the gruesome and violent nature of these murders, and wish to extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
We call on the law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into these killings, and to hold accountable those responsible.
We also call on all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity, religious or political affiliation, to exercise restraint by not indulging in any form of inciteful, violent or retaliatory behaviour. While we are all still hurting from these events, the time to stop this senseless violence is now. (Signed 10/9/20)

The signatories to the statement are:
Aubrey Hutson: President, Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG)
Gokarn Ramdhani: President, Guyana Badminton Association (GBA)
Michael Singh: President, Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF)
Steve Ninvalle: President, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA)
Wayne Forde: President, Guyana Football Federation (GFF)
Aleem Hussain: President, Guyana Golf Association (GGA)
Philip Fernandes: Guyana Hockey Association (GHA)
Gavin Singh: President, Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF)
David Fernandes: President, Guyana Squash Association (GSA)
Samuel Barakat: President, Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA)
Godfrey Munroe: President, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)