THE president and executives of Demerara Cricket Club (DCC)  ‘Home of the Legends’ were in a state of sorrow at the passing of former player, club president and administrator Lennox Hunte who died on Wednesday after a  brief illness at the age of 64.
In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, current president of DCC and former president of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Alfred Mentore who played first division cricket under Hunte’s captaincy for the Queenstown-based club, said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Hunte.
“When I received the news of Hunte’s death, I was plunged into a bitter-sweet feelings, as he passed away on my birthday so while being in a happy mood, I was transferred into a mood of sadness, cutting short my festive activities with friends to join my fellow club members in a state of mourning,” stated Mentore.
“Certainly, his death has been a big blow to not only DCC, but the cricket fraternity in Guyana, as he was one of the stalwarts who worked tirelessly towards executing any task he was assigned to do, whether it was liaison officer or even administrator of the gentleman’s sport.
“Apart from carrying out his duties, Hunte was also known to be an individual who held up the morals and discipline of the game and I can comfortably say with pride, it was a pleasure playing  and later on serving under him during his days on God’s earth.”
“Passing the torch would be a difficult task at this time, as he (Hunte) was rigid with certain things, never leaving room for complacency, something he learnt from the late Fred Wills, who himself was a former president and administrator of DCC’s cricket,” added Mentore.
According to Mentore, while the present executives are unaware of Hunte’s burial arrangements they would be in some major way contributing towards same which will see the DCC Diaspora in New York making a tangible contribution.
“One of Hunte’s close friends and ardent supporter of DCC, Jack Harris, called the club all the way from the USA after hearing about his passing and mentioned his sad feelings at the passing of his close friend and stated the willingness of others to contribute in a tangible way towards the burial of their buddy.”
Added to that, DCC will be making its own contribution as a means of saying thanks to a man whose work at the club could not be measured by any weights given to do so, with Troy Halley who was very close to Hunte liaising with his daughter on our behalf.” Mentore said.
Former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder and president of the GCA, Roger Harper said, “The news of Hunte’s death signalled a sad day for cricket in Georgetown, Demerara and Guyana at large, where he served as a national junior selector and later chairman of the junior selection panel.”
“He has been an integral part of DCC for well in excess of 30 years and I feel that his heart has always been with DCC and cricket in general and certainly the members of the club are saddened at his passing and we wish to extend condolences to his daughter and other family members.
In his playing days, he will be remembered as an extraordinary cricketer who had the ability to swing the new ball early in his career before he began to bowl left-arm spin, while he was no rabbit with the bat.
As an administrator, he would be remembered as one of the junior selectors who wanted to see the game progress more during his time on earth,” added Harper.
Guyana and West Indies opener Travis Dowlin remembered Hunte as a very strong supporter of cricket, giving his all voluntarily to the sport.
“I have seen a few individuals who were committed to cricket and gave of their all freely and voluntarily, and certainly Hunte was one of those individuals who was also committed to DCC and the development of the game.
“He had a strong opinion on how things should be in terms of administration and discipline of the younger players and his death will leave a hole in the administration of DCC and even cricket in Guyana, as his commitment was admirable,” said Dowlin.
Prior to his death, Hunte who was married to the late Nicola Cave-Hunte, a former sports journalist at the Guyana Chronicle, served the game of cricket as captain, club administrator, junior selector and liaison officer with the Guyana Cricket Board.
Chronicle Sport would like to extend its heartfelt sympathy to the daughter, other relatives, friends and members of DCC on Hunte’s passing and may his soul rest in peace.