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Tribute in memory of the late Oliver Hinckson
Dear Sir,
“March or Die, Death before Dishonour”! The once famous battle cry, albeit that was inculcated as the “motto for the now defunct Thomas United, under the “astute” leadership of former President, Oliver Hinckson.
“O.H” as he was fondly called within the football fraternity passed away on 20.06.18 peacefully. Editor, it would be remiss of me not to mention that: “Not at the time of his, untimely death was football in Georgetown, deprived of Oliver’s administrative capabilities and leadership. But rather since around the year 2000, when he along with former FIFA Referee, Gerald Laurie was suspended for: Resorting to the Courts of Law, locally in challenging a GFF ruling”.
However, once again remonstratively and reiteratively with the annals of local football, still within the “stone age” it’s a great pity that the accolade “O.H” truly deserves for his previous contribution to the sport that is seemingly emerging, out of a “Jurassic style of administration”.
A two times former 1st Vice President, Georgetown Football Association, followed the Presidency, thereafter. Within Hinckson’s tenure as a GFA administrator, he was adjudged: “best Administrator GFF/FIFA FUTURO Administrators’ Course”.
In both instances the late O.H. was a Vice President, under the presidency of: Winston Callender (deceased) and Maurice John. I the undersigned was the Hon. Secretary, and also when O.H was the President.
Additionally, winning the GFA Division 1 League, during Hinckson’s tenure as TU FC’s President was one of the most defining moments for the club, during his stewardship. While it cannot be overlooked of his organizational qualities, whereby a visit by Suriname’s Robin Hood F.C, for a friendly three match series against local clubs, the PNDC inter-club, K.O. Competition, was also played over a two years period.
However, despite the few shortcomings administratively, Oliver at the end of the day was still a “keen listener” to solutions for the sport’s betterment. O.H. saw football as a “vehicle for upliftment and betterment, of underprivileged youths”.
Finally, with Thomas United, before it folded, at the time was the second oldest club in Georgetown. A club that produced numerous national players, along with captains in the past Ken Gibbs and Earl O’Neil readily come to mind. Dion Barnwell, another former TUFC player, at one time had the record of: “The youngest male national player at the senior Level, to score an international goal for Guyana. Keith Goppie (TUFC) along with Andre Trotz of Y.S. M. Beacon (then) were the first two Guyanese to play semi-professionally in Trinidad. Dion Inniss, also from TUFC, represented the nation at the youth level, and is now a GFF Committee member, previously an accredited FIFA Assistant referee.
To his sorrowing family members, relatives, ex-military colleagues, former members TUFC, GFA and friends my deepest sympathy, upon the passing of the late Oliver Hinckson , an Officer and a gentleman, a competent Administrator, whose love for football was compounded by dedication and bankrolling the underprivileged.
May his Soul, Rest In Peace!
Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey
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