GCB President to attend Sir Garfield Sobers’ state funeral

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president Bissoondyal Singh will travel to Barbados to represent the board and the wider Guyanese cricket fraternity at the state funeral of West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers.

The national thanksgiving service for the iconic all-rounder, who leaves behind an unmatched legacy in the global game, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 29, at the historic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Ahead of the service, the GCB paid its respects locally. A high-profile delegation signed the Book of Condolences at Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown, to honour Sobers’ extraordinary life.

Singh led the GCB contingent and was notably joined by legendary former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd and current lead selector Ramnaresh Sarwan.

The Georgetown gathering also included GCB secretary Ronald Williams, cricket operations manager Anthony D’Andrade, Guyana Harpy Eagles manager and senior selector Surendra Hiralall, and cricket ombudsman Malcolm Peters.

Reflecting on the monumental impact of the Barbadian great, Singh noted that Sobers was not just a generational talent on the pitch, but a unifying cultural force for the entire region.

“Sir Garfield Sobers was not only one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen, but also a proud symbol of West Indian excellence, unity and achievement,” Singh said in a statement.

“His remarkable contribution to cricket inspired generations across the Caribbean and throughout the world. It is a profound honour to represent the Guyana Cricket Board at his State Funeral and to pay our final respects to a true icon of our regional heritage.”

Wednesday’s state funeral at Kensington Oval will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time. The ceremony will serve as a national thanksgiving service to celebrate Sobers’ unparalleled contributions to Barbados, West Indies cricket, and the sport at large.