GVF President Shuffler celebrates 70th birthday

Feb 10, 2009 Sports

-players brave inclement weather to play in friendly tournament

Lenox Shuffler

Despite the heavy rainfall, volleyball players from Georgetown, West Demerara, New Amsterdam and Linden converged at the National Park last Sunday to participate in a friendly tournament held to commemorate the 70th Birth Anniversary of Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) President Lenox Shuffler.

Shuffler who celebrated his birthday on February 5 has spent almost his entire life in many departments of the sport either as a player, coach or Administrator, giving a total of 57 years to the game he openly expressed he dearly loves.

A former outstanding national player and captain with an impressive record, Shuffler, who many feel is responsible for keeping the sport alive, agreed that the occasion was a fitting tribute to him and something he that he will never forget.

“I really appreciated the fine gesture of the players and GVF members and I would like to thank them for turning out and presenting me with such a wonderful gift,” the GVF President stated.

Shuffler, who is at the end of his second term in office which runs until December 2009, disclosed that he will not be seeking re-election as President at the next Annual General Meeting, but is willing to stick around to offer his expertise and hopefully achieve some of the goals he has set out for the GVF among which include agitating for Guyana to re-enter the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association so that our national teams can participate in future Caribbean Games.

Achievements during his long association with the sport include: (1)- He was the youngest player on the first ever volleyball team to represent this country, then British Guiana, overseas in Trinidad 1958,

(2)- became captain in 1961 and was the longest serving and most successful at the international level, winning the then Caribbean Championships, the Lighthouse trophy in 1964 and 65 and was in the final in 1975 in Bahamas,

(3) won NSC Male Sports Personality in 2005 along with GOA’s Award for his contribution to the development of volleyball in Guyana,

(4)- International Olympic Committee 2007 award for the promotion “ Sport and Promotion of Olympism” through his Sports Education and Culture Train concept for the development of peace and unity.