Letter to the Sports Editor...A Tribute to ‘Mr. Fundamental’, the Late Phillip George

Letter to the Sports Editor…A Tribute to ‘Mr. Fundamental’, the Late Phillip George

Jan 06, 2012 Sports

Why was this amputee never given a Medal of Service?

Dear Editor,
Although he never couched a senior national team, Phillip George was probably one of the Land of Many Waters most successful coaches ever when it came to local club basketball. After dominating the third and second division competitions for several years with ‘Mr. Fundamental’ calling plays, Colts United became one of the most feared teams in Georgetown.
Then came the moment of truth, first division status, although Colts United deserved automatic promotion after dominant performances over the years at the third and second division level. One of the criteria at that time for the club to be promoted to first division level was having a former national player on the first division team and right away the inspirational George called on the experience of Guyana first professional player the late Charles Torani Clements. Although Torani was in his early fifties, his presence had such of an impact on the then emerging stars; Eion Leitch, Rockcliffe Duesbury A.K.A Longman, Vijay Panday, Peter Briggs and Dexter Jacobs A.K.A , the Beast and with the Charisma and dedication of George, Colts United became a force to be reckoned with, at the first division level.
However, just as the Colts started to celebrate some glorious first division moments, the man that took them to the promise land suffered severely in a vehicle accident resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. But Phillip George always believed that failure was never a cause for depression but rather an incentive for improvement and returned to Parade Ground and Burnham Court and made Colts United/Bounty Colts the most dominant first division team in Guyana.
Senior National Players Produced under Phillip George’s Guidance were:
Eion Leitch 1988-1991
Caricom Championship Guyana and Jamaica
Dane Kendall 1991
Lynden Wilson 1993
Lorenzo Withrite 1994
Andrew Ifill 2000
First National duty as coach:
1993 National under 19 team to Suriname
1994 National under 19 coach Inter-Guiana series
1995 National under 19 coach junior Caricom, Cayman Island
1995 National under 19 coach Goodwill Tour to Atlanta
1996 National under 19 coach Inter- Guiana Games
1997 National under 19 coach Junior Caricom, Jamaica
Now with credentials as the above mention, why was this amputee never considered for a Medal of Service. Sleep on champ.
Charwayne Walker