‘A BAD DREAM’
Sporting fraternity mourns tragic death of Gibbs Williams
TERRENCE Corke, the Jamaica Under-19 cricket coach, says the murder of the team’s manager Gibbs Williams is “like a bad dream” even as the sporting fraternity continued to reel from news of his death on Friday.
Williams, a vice-principal at GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport and a highly rated fitness trainer, reportedly died from gunshot wounds he sustained outside a medical centre in Portmore, St Catherine, on Friday.
Williams, who was affectionately called “Gibbo”, and Corke were manager and head coach, respectively, when the Jamaica Under-19 cricketers won the prestigious three-day and 50-over regional tournament double in mid-year.
“Gibbo is one person who is always having a laugh, a very jovial person, but he was serious about his work,” Corke said.
He told the Jamaica Observer that Williams’ broad skillset made his coaching job easier.
“He was my Under-19 manager for the last three years. He was also a strength and conditioning trainer and a Level Three coach, so I got maximum help from Gibbo. I’ve told people that I’m the luckiest coach in Jamaica because I get a one-in-three. He was a great manager, a brilliant [trainer] and a very good Level Three coach… this is like a bad dream,” he said.
Williams, a former cricket coach at Waterford High and Wolmer’s Boys’, had served as the national senior team’s strength and conditioning trainer.
After collaborating with Corke for Jamaica’s triumphant run in the regional youth competitions from July to August, he was appointed manager of the West Indies Under-19 cricket team which toured Sri Lanka.
Former Jamaica and West Indies left-arm finger spinner Nikita Miller described Williams as a stickler for proper fitness and one who could be counted on to provide support in various capacities.
“I’m saddened, I’m actually blown away. Gibbo… he was a nice person, a nice human being, always there to help you. I send my condolence to all, including his family. He was a great human being, he was a great cricket lover. Cricket will definitely miss Gibbs Williams,” the outstanding former player said.
“I remember when we used to play he was the trainer for the national team, and Gibbo was that individual who would always lead by example. He believed in fitness and he believed in a healthy lifestyle.
“He would be at training before everyone and he’d be running from early, getting his body in shape. So, when we turned up for training he’d be there already, and when we got there we knew we’d have to bring the energy, we’d have to bring our A game. He was one to always push us to our limits, always wanting us to achieve our fullest potential, and I’m sure it was the same for his students at GC Foster,” Miller, now a well-regarded coach throughout the region, told the Observer.
“When I started coaching as well — and we were working together — it was no different, he was always there to help. So even though he was the trainer he was asking if there was anything else I needed help with,” he added.
On Friday, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) said it was gripped with “unspeakable sorrow” at the passing of Williams. In a statement, the JCA said Williams was a “passionate, enthusiastic and a tireless servant of cricket”.
The statement added: “We pray that his soul is judged with mercy.”
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) said on Friday it was left in “shock and sorrow” at the news that Williams had died.
The JAAA statement added: “Mr Williams was not just a dedicated educator but also a pillar of strength within your institution. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of students, his tireless efforts in promoting physical education and sports, and his genuine care for the welfare of the school community were truly remarkable.”