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Wilbur Hope Football club launched
A new football club has hit the playing fields in Berbice. The Hope Football Club (HFC) has been launched. The club, which has been formed in memory of the late national football player Wilbur “Hopey” Hope (1967-2001) was established in October 2012, and is officially a part of the Berbice Football Association (BFA).
Some of the members of the Hope Football club strike a pose before a game.
Hope, a former resident of Tucber Park, New Amsterdam suffered from an Acute Heart condition and died in 2001 at the age of 33. During his days he participated in numerous sporting activities including Football, both hard and softball Cricket, Athletics, Basketball, Table Tennis and Volleyball and went on to represent Guyana in Football and Athletics.
On September 17, 2012, U.S Army Soldier, Kevin Leroy Henry, a former N.A.M.S student and New Amsterdam resident realized his dream of honoring his former mentor and friend, Wilbur Hope, by launching the inaugural Hope Memorial Football Tournament (HMFT). The five-day tournament was keenly contested among the secondary schools within the New Amsterdam/ Canje school district.
Henry, also a multitalented athlete, was very satisfied with the way the tournament was conducted. However, realizing the need for more than just an annual football tournament, Mr. Henry set about the task of making a bigger impact on football in the town of his birth by launching the football club. The HFC is so far one part of his effort.
The HFC consists of three teams at different age groups; under-13, under -17, and under – 20. Apart from engaging in competitive football, the HFC will contribute to the development of youth through various programmes such as annual training camps, academic, social and community initiatives.
An executive body was also put in place with Mr. Kevin Henry as the president, Mark Adams vice president, Petra Forde secretary and Jeanesse Gray treasurer with Simone Bollers a committee member. Michael Khan will serve as the manager and Colin Bowry the head coach. There are over 25 members in the club so far.
Back home on holiday, Henry stated that he and Hope were good friends and since Hope’s demise he always wanted to do something in memory of his one-time pal and is making full use of the opportunity now. At the launching ceremony which was held at the All Saints Scots Church ground on Saturday the respective schools were introduced to the sponsor.
The Hope Football club for the moment has its headquarters at 57 Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice Guyana.
A father of two, Hope subsequently migrated and continued in the same vein overseas until he succumbed to his illness. His relatives have so far handed over a pavilion which was constructed in the Tucber Park ball field in memory of his 10th death anniversary to the people of the Tucber Park Community. (Samuel Whyte)
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