Two former generous donors/sponsors and a football stalwart are no longer with us

Dec 30, 2017 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

“Oh Death, where is thy sting, Oh grave, where is thy victory”.
While death is inevitable, the untimeliness of it, in most instances always leaves one in a state of shock, or disbelief.
In the space of 7 days the sport of football would have lost the generosity of the late: George Humphrey, Gregory “Peppers” Christiani and Winston “Cally/Chalky” Callender. The young generation of Administrators, may not know of the role the trio played in the past.
Reiteratively and remonstratively, it remains sad for the sport of football – 115 years of existence in Guyana, that no proper documentation is recorded to be placed in the annals of the sport’s history. Firstly, within the Georgetown Football League (then) under the presidency of Colin Klass, Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products was a sponsor of an age-limit competition, over a protracted period of time. While when the Guyana Football Association (then) was cash strapped and national teams had to be encamped, once again, but as a donor this time around. Humphrey’s Bakery ensured loaves of bread were uplifted on a daily basis, during the period of encampment.
Additionally, if my memory serves me well the East Bank F.A. was also a beneficiary of Humphrey’s Bakery sponsorship, in the past. If I’m wrong I’m subject to correction.
Secondly, “Peppers” Christiani of Water Chris Hotel, his generosity as a donor came by way of reduced rates for accommodation and meals, for national teams’ encampment, which was also extended to foreign national teams. Executive meetings of the GFA, along with the General Council; the AGM under the presidency of former president, M.P, Odinga Lumumba were held at the hotel rent-free, as well as meetings of the GFF’s Tournaments & Competitions Committee. The Kashif & Shanghai Annual K.O., in the past had benefitted by way of sponsorship.
Finally, “Cally/Chalky” Callender, former national footballer, former president, Georgetown Football League (then); former 1st Vice President, Guyana Football Association (then) and former senior national football teams manager.
Editor, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the first of my three stints as Honorary Secretary (elected) GFL/GFA, was two decades ago, which also was the first and only time for Cally to be elected as the president. Additionally, as Kitty residents (myself by birth), our bonding was much closer, since Winston’s entry into the administrative aspect of the sport at the Sub-Association level (then) was at my insistence, with the endorsement of Kitty folks a few years earlier.
Thereafter, in 1997, leading up to the F.L’s- AGM/Elections of the Office Bearers, Cally’s candidacy for the presidency was endorsed by G.F.C’s Committee Member, James Bovell, who became the Hon. Treasurer and former Thomas United – President, Oliver Hinckson, who was elected 1st Vice President.
That specific A.G.M was historical on numerous fronts. Wherein, the incumbent GFL, President, and Hon. Secretary, were already entrenched in the respective GFA positions and for the first time ever in the sport’s history, a delinking from the GFL was imminent, since in the FA’S General Council’s deliberation (s) the conflict of interest” scenario that was inherently in place had to cease forthwith.
The subsequent AGM at GNCB Staff Club had to be aborted. But during the reconvening thereafter, Cally won by a landslide. Due to a shortened season, the former Banks DIH employee secured sponsorship from his previous employers, for the “Banks DIH/Campsite senior Round-Robin/K.O”, involving both 1st and 2nd Division Clubs. Bovell’s Business School and Hinckson’s Chuck Wagon Bakery sponsored the youth competitions.
As a former GFC player, prior to his national representation, during one of our frequent interactions, Cally had outlined to me the first time he represented the “Bourda Blues” – coming on as a second – half substitute.
“Sealey, the stands were filled and upon taking the field of play, the crowd erupted, ‘GFC, y’all putting coffee in the milk.’” Since Cally was the first Afro Guyanese to play for GFC, breaking the decades-old tradition of “Caucasians, Portuguese and Mulattos”.
Winston also served on GFC’s Executive Committee as a Vice President.
In retrospect, Cally it was a great pleasure working along with you, in further developing and promoting the sport of Sub-Association football, though you only served as GFL President for one term. Nevertheless, your election to the GFA (then) as 1st Vice President, the following year, didn’t detract you from keeping abreast with the FL’s football activities.
Cally always strived for putting football first, unlike what transpires today. In one such instance a mere phone call, with a response in less than 30 minutes, resulted in a coaching clinic the following day at GFC, by Anton Corneal. It was approved for youths from the FL’s affiliates. Over 50 youths turned out and Winston was present.
Cally was also present previously at the Pee-Wee Competitions at Thirst Park. He had also assisted in securing jobs for a few footballers at Banks DIH. And lest I forget, in December, a phone call was always assured for my alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Winston played his game beyond extra-time, penalty shootout and “Sudden Death”. He became the second former national footballer, after the late Mannie DaSilva, to be elected a GFL President. Farewell, Winston “Cally/Chalky” Callender. Farewell, Gregory “Peppers” Christiani.
Farewell, George Humphrey.
To the sorrowing family members, relatives, friends, workers and co-workers, my deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences respectively, May their Souls Rest in Peace!

Lester Sealey

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