… Memorial tournament to be played in his honour

THERE was an outpouring of grief at the Muslim Youth Organisation, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown on Thursday as members of the softball fraternity, family and well-wishers paid their last respects to the late Khalid ‘Bilal’ Haslim.

Haslim, who was later interred at the Ogle cemetery after another moving ceremony at the Ogle Masjid, was a well-known softball stalwart who represented several teams in Guyana, including top club Regal at home and in North America.

Among those paying tributes were Chairman of the Regal cricket teams and the Regal Business Group, Mahendra Anil Hardyal, well-known Public Relations personnel John Ramsingh and president of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. Ian John.

Hardyal expressed shock and sadness on the passing of Haslim, pointing out that they have been friends for over 15 years. “We were so close that we became more than friends, we became family, he became my brother. Bilall’s brother also played cricket for us locally and internationally. My mother and brothers also became really close with Bilall and his family.

According to Hardyal, “As the years went by, Bilall and his family became even closer with us that they were part of everything we did. Whether it was playing cricket locally or overseas, supporting each other at religious functions or social events, Bilall and Nareema were always by our side.

“It’s almost one week since he has passed and it’s hard for me to believe that my brother is truly gone and we wouldn’t be able to do anything together again.

Sharing some of his experiences with Haslim, Ramsingh recalled an occasion when they were on an overseas tour.  “I remember while we were on an overseas tour, we were to meet for breakfast and our beloved brother, Bilall landed at a restaurant ahead of us. And he called Anil … He said, ‘George, we deh IHOP, yall come hay”. Anil with a sharp response was like, High up way. To me that true story is relevant for two reasons: Some of us believe that there is ascension to heaven of the soul after death so Bilall’s soul is certainly High up.

“Secondly, Bilall always knew where the bargains were and was very convincing that there were no better deals. And being a true team player, he would tell all of us where to catch the deals. If you noticed how he is always well dressed with the latest style and fashion, it’s because of the many deals.”

“Locally, I know the guys at the taxi stand at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport will miss him. There will forever be a space, literally where a neatly dressed Bilall with his shirtjac was seen parked reading the daily news while waiting to professionally execute his duties to his passengers. He was in tune with what was happening around him.
“I am usually the journalist of the team in and out of Guyana. Recently I was looking for photos of Bilall. In most of those photos he was showing a peace sign, also in a large percentage of the pictures he was among other persons but in one hundred per cent of the images he was smiling.

“I then concluded, that my brother would be happy to unite everyone peacefully. That is a task I knew was dear to him, as he always wanted to see the various factions of cricket come together for the common good.

“I am confident we will soon hear about a Bilall Memorial Cricket Tournament but it will be fitting for us to have the title as the Bilall Unity Cup.”

GSCL president John recalled Haslim started his cricketing career, representing GCC, MYO and Ogle at hardball before venturing into softball.

According to John, Haslim was an extremely talented cricketer who had done exceptionally well while representing various softball teams across Demerara, including Park Rangers, Mike’s Pharmacy and more recently Regal.

Haslim turned out for Regal in and out of Guyana and according to the GSCA president, was scheduled to travel with the side to the annual Florida Cup last March but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the three-day tournament was cancelled.

Tasleema Stanley, who flew from Canada for her brother’s funeral, thanked all in attendance for the tremendous support during this time of bereavement. Brother Wasim, who resides in the USA, was however unable to attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Frederick Halley)