Basketball Coach Bernard ‘Rasta’ Daniels’ remains cremated at Memorial Gardens after stirring tributes

Dec 11, 2025 Sports

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Kaieteur Sports – Yesterday the remains of re-migrant former basketball coach Bernard ‘Coach ‘Rasta Danny’ Daniels, who passed away recently in Georgetown, were cremated after a service was held at the Memorial Gardens and Crematorium in Georgetown.

Several former players and coaches showed up to give their last respects to a coach who was respected for his dedication to the sport.

There were stirring tributes given to Coach Daniels who played a vital part in coaching many basketball players to the national level, before he had migrated to the United States of America.

It must be noted that one of Daniels significant contributions came in 2012, when he was coach of the Guyana Select Senior Female team which captured the 12th Gillian Brazier basketball championship, which was played at the JSC Sports Complex in Antigua.

That Guyana female basketball team played unbeaten in the tournament and Guyana’s Bernard Daniels was named All-Star Coach.

Vice President of the Guyana Basketball Federation Rawle Toney had posted, “It was truly heartbreaking to learn of Coach Danny’s passing. He was loved and respected across the basketball community, especially by the many players, male and female, he guided on both the Youth and Senior Men’s National Teams.

He was my coach at the first Youth CARICOM Basketball Tournament, as well as at the IGG and several other tournaments before he migrated.

An exceptional coach, his passion was always youth development. He had a unique ability to bring out the best in you, on the court and as a person, always pushing you to do right and be better.

I last saw Danny at the Women’s CBC Championship at the Sports Hall recently. He shared that he had moved back to Guyana and was finally living the quiet life he always wanted.”

Head of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Chris Bowman when reached for a comment had this to say: “Like Julian Haynes just a few months ago, Bernard Daniels was part of a foundational or laying the generation of men who really served basketball very well as coaches and teachers and leaders for many years, and in many different roles. Coach Daniels in particular exemplified a spirit of service and kindness and generosity. He was a true teacher, he really as many would have stated, really brought out the best in youth and his players, even as he challenged them. Just recently many of us saw him at the Caribbean Basketball Female Championship and in my interaction with him, he was looking forward to re-engaging in youth development and he wanted to really get involved in working with the youngsters and getting us back to that place of discipline in terms of training and reputation. So, Bernard is going to be tremendously missed by all of us, the entire basketball community.”

Further Bowman added, “So we at YBG extend our deep appreciation to him for his years of service and our condolences to his family and friends and everyone who feels this loss.

It’s a pity that men like Bernard and Julian many others haven’t been given their roses while they were alive because they had really served well. Our sport, perhaps really need to spend some time reflecting how we could honour these people who contributed so much to the game of basketball. God bless!”

And former FIBA Referee and Technical Director of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Cecil Chin, who is back home on holiday, spoke highly of Daniels noting, “Bernard Daniels was a basketball coach who believed in the young players. His attitude towards the game and its development was a marvel along with his colleague the late Phillip George. The Junior National Teams were well prepared along with the requisite club teams.

Bernard and I shared a quality related friendship apart from basketball. He was a good referee as well and very up to date with the rules and regulations. He was respected and well liked in the fraternity. It is with every degree of sadness that I bid farewell to a friend and colleague. Rest In peace, you served and gave of your best.

In our heavenly Father’s paradise, there is comfort earned and deserving.”

Former national player Robert Cadogan speaking from New Jersey where he now resides, offered condolences on behalf of those overseas-based players and officials, had much l to say to Daniels’ family.

Cadogan said: “Danny, as he is familiarly known, was a patriotic and committed worker for Guyanese basketball, he served in almost every aspect of the game, as coach, administrator, referee or table official. He was one of the most reliable people who you can call upon to assist if there is absence of scheduled officials.”

He further stated: “Danny took over as coach of the Globetrotters basketball team after the migration of then coach brother Walker and built up the youngest roster of talented players, the likes of Dr Lancelot Loncke, Remington Ram, Marcom Parris, Richard Vigilance & Andre Lake just to name a few who all went on to play for junior and senior National Teams. Danny was thrown more into the National spotlight with the migration of coaches Schubert Cappel, Hewley Henry, deceased, Mike and James Brusche, John Davidson, Theron Ceasar, Carl Agard & Neville Alert…. Guyanese basketball has lost a true patriot of the game someone with so much institutional knowledge of the game in Guyana.”

Among others there to show their final respects were former national players Eon ‘Watusi’ Andrews, Leon Somerset and his wife Audrey, Mark Agard, Melroy Fitzalbert, Ewart Padmore, Nichola Jacobs, Avril Edmondson, Pauletta Chapman, YBG representative Leona Kyte, former referee Mike Prince and veteran table official Dennis Clarke.

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• basketball Coach, Bernard Daniels, cremated, Memorial Gardens

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