Tributes pour in for cricketer/coach Forbes Daniels

Jul 02, 2026 Sports

– Funeral set for Friday

Kaieteur Sports – Several former Essequibo cricketers have paid tributes to former cricketer and Coach Forbes Daniels who passed away last Thursday age 65.

Daniels was a former Essequibo Inter-County player and a long-serving Coach for multiple clubs and Essequibo teams at various levels.

Dillon Heyliger, who represented Essequibo, Guyana and his adopted country Canada, expressed his profound condolences to the family and stated that he was saddened with Forbes’ passing due to illness.

Tributes pour in for cricketer/coach Forbes Daniels

Four Essequibo cricketers few years ago talked about the youth development of Essequibo’s cricket: from left, Rovendra Mandolall, Devon Ramnauth, Dillon Heyliger and Ravendra Madholall.

Heyliger, who comes from Suddie, the village that Forbes done most of his coaching and the adjacent village Zorg, mentioned that Forbes had left an indelible mark with his exceptional coaching and he will remember him for his contributions as well.

“I was definitely shocked and heartbroken to learn the death of Forbes; he was such an energetic coach and loved coaching youngsters but may soul rest in peace,” Heyliger, the versatile all-rounder, commented.

Forbes began his coaching career in late 80s and would have helped with the development of a number of players to enhance their skills.

During the last two consecutive decades, he opened a cricket academy and youths on the Coast have benefitted from his training, expertise and coaching. Players ranged from under-13 to 19.

“He really worked hard with his coaching to guide the youngsters and I was happy to make a contribution by donating gear at his request, hopefully these young aspiring cricketers will continue with what Forbes left,” Heyliger related.

Joining Heyliger, were Rovendra Mandolall, Devon Ramnauth and Ravendra Madholall, all three featured for Essequibo and were close friends to Forbes as well.

“Undoubtedly, he was one of the best cricketing coaches coming out of Essequibo; he demonstrated that with his unmatched commitment and loved the job greatly,” Mandolall, the former Guyana youth player, stated.

Ramnauth shared similar thoughts of Heyliger and Mandolall, but worked closely with Forbes to sustain the youth academy.

According to Ramnauth, who also wore national colours at the youth level, he would continue to assist the academy and rated Forbes’ contribution to South Essequibo’s cricket as phenomenal.

“I’m still in shock, early this year I pledged my support publicly to Coachman and his work; we did one project together which was successful and I want to follow through and continue in his footsteps to help our youths in South Essequibo,” Ramnauth, who is currently residing in Canada, mentioned.

Ramnauth took the opportunity to express his sympathy to the family and his three children.

“My deepest condolences to his daughter Debbie and the rest of the family and friends and many supporters; South Essequibo mourns as we definitely lost a part of the heart and soul of youth cricket development,” Ramnauth declared.

Madholall, who played for Essequibo at the Under-19 level, stated that he was in disbelief when heard about Forbes’ sudden death.

“Forbes and I talked a lot over the phone; did few interviews with him in the capacity as Journalist and he was always overwhelmed with cricketing development; he was thinking about the youths a lot and never reluctant to teach the guys the fundamentals,” Madholall, who revealed from Canada.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the youngsters will have a cricket match at Suddie ground and a night of reflection Friday night at the same venue.

The body will pass through Suddie ground to his home at Zorg (12pm-2pm) for a funeral service and viewing before Forbes will be laid to rest at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast.

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cricketer, Essequibo cricketers, Forbes Daniels, tributes

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