International Masters Tournament is set to honour 50 Football legends

Feb 19, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – As anticipation reaches its peek for the International Masters Football Tournament slated for the GFC Ground, Bourda, today (February 19) and Friday, February 20, organiser Paul D’Andrade is ensuring the spotlight shines just as brightly on the past as it does on the present.

The former Thomas United midfielder turned businessman will not only reunite some of the region’s most celebrated veterans but will also culminate the event with a grand tribute to 50 former national players, a gesture D’Andrade believes is long overdue.

Among those set to be honoured are Gordon Brathwaite, Deon Barnwell, Terrence Archer, Adrian Forde, Trevor Maxwell, Neville “Zipper” Johnson, Marlon De Souza, Denzil “Hunky brains” Thompson, Wendell “Figaro” Sandiford, Gregory “Jacky Chan” Richardson, Charles “Lilly” Pollard, Randolph Jerome, Vibert DeFreitas, Phillip Young of Bartica, Rudolph “Chow” Hunte and Michael Pierre.

The list also features iconic figures whose exploits helped shape Guyana’s football history. Former national captain Maurice Enmore of Santos FC and Guyana’s first World Cup captain in 1976 against Suriname will be recognised for his trailblazing leadership. He also represented the Caribbean Football Team against Hull City in 1973 and Kwangtung Province in 1978.

Another standout veteran is Earle O’Neal, national captain from 1977 to 1980, who likewise represented the Caribbean side against Hull City (1973) and Kwangtung Province (1978), is also among the honourees.

A special posthumous tribute will be paid to Hubert “Senor” Brathwaite, British Guiana captain from 1955 to 1964 and a standout defender during the Caribbean’s 1959 tour of the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, other distinguished names include Monty Hope of St Barnabas; Sanbach Parker, British Guiana captain in 1965; George Green of Thomas United; and Compton Julian, who represented YMCA, Thomas United and British Guiana — all members of the Caribbean touring squad to the United Kingdom in 1959.

Lewis “Waterboat” Weithers, the dynamic St Barnabas and British Guiana left winger who represented the Caribbean against Suriname in Paramaribo in 1952, will also be honoured, alongside Emmanuel “Mam Man” DeSouza, British Guiana captain from 1950 to 1954, who also represented the Caribbean team against Jamaica at Sabina Park and Suriname in 1952.

“This tournament is about more than competition,” D’Andrade noted in a recent announcement. “It’s about honouring the men who built the foundation of our football.”

While the tribute ceremony promises to be the emotional highlight, fans can expect thrilling action across both days. Overseas teams such as Pele Masters of Brooklyn, New York, and the T&T X-Men from Trinidad will compete alongside Masters teams from Linden, Bartica, Berbice and Georgetown.

The tournament has also received the blessing of the Office of His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, under the One Guyana sports initiative, further underscoring its national significance.

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Adrian Forde, Deon Barnwell, Football legends, Gordon Brathwaite, International Masters Tournament, Paul D’Andrade, Terrence Archer

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