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National Blind Cricketer laid to rest
The late Gordon Sandiford’s Hearse goes through a ‘cane salute’ by his team mates.
Regional 40-over tourney to be renamed Gordon Sandiford Comp.
By Sean Devers
At a packed St Paul’s Anglican Church in Sparendaam, 28-year-old National Blind Cricketer the late Gordon Alvin Sandiford was given an emotional send off to the great beyond yesterday after his body was taken to his home in Plaisance East Coast Demerara for viewing.
The large congregation included President of the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Anthony Arvil, who is also Executive Director of St Lucia Blind Welfare, Vice-President of the Guyana Blind Cricket Association Cecil Morris, two representatives from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the honorable Mrs. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection, listened to a moving sermon by Father Malcom Dick-Grant.
The funeral was organised by Director of Sports Christopher Jones who was unavoidably absent because he had to depart for Suriname on Thursday and it was somewhat disappointing that no official from the Guyana Cricket Board was present yesterday.
The Minister told the church that Gordon was not defined or confined by his lack of sight and remembered that two days before the team departed for the regional Blind cricket tournament in St Lucia where Gordon met his demise, the Cricketer, who also has recorded music and is a Weight lifter, confidently marched into her office to ask for sponsorship for the trip.
“The girls at the ministry were shocked that he had passed away which proves the saying that tomorrow is promised to no one,” the Minister, who represented the Guyana Government and Minister Rupert Roopnarine, added.
An emotional Morris broke down in tears during his heart-tugging tribute in which he said the team, after counseling, played their next game which was scheduled two days after Gordon met his death.
St Lucian Arvil, paid glowing tributes and brought messages from the Presidents of the Regional and International Blind Cricket Associations. He disclosed that from next year the Regional 40-over Blind Cricket tournament will be called the ‘Gordon Sandiford 40-over tournament’.
Dr Uon Sandiford, Gordon’s uncle, gave the Eulogy, stating the Gordon had many interests but while working with Giftland OfficeMax, he was diagnosed with Glaucoma at 18 and became very depressed.
“He got into music and loved to dance and play sports and quickly snapped out of depression because of his involvement in these things,” Dr Sandiford said.
His father, Godfrey Sandiford, who was too emotional to partake in most of yesterday’s activities, said his son was set to get sponsorship from Giftland OfficeMax to jump start his weightlifting career and would run from Plaisance to Sheriff Street and then go to the Gym. He would also go for regular swims in the Atlantic Ocean. His grieving father described his third child as a fitness freak, adding that he is still in a state of shock after receiving the heart-wrenching news.
“I want to thank the Director of Sports who visited our home and kept me updated with everything and also Minister Roopnarine who also came to see the family,” Mr Sandiford remarked.
Gordon, who has no children, leaves to morn his father, who also has Glaucoma but has weak sight, five brothers and two sisters.
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