THOUSANDS turned up to bid farewell to former Commonwealth welterweight champion, Andrew Murray MS, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, yesterday afternoon.

The body lay in state, with Sergeant Patrick of the Guyana Defence Force attired in ceremonial uniform bearing the medal - the Medal of Service that he was awarded.

President Bharrat Jagdeo attended the funeral service to pay final respects to the national awardee and one-time Sportsman of the Year.

Glowing tributes were paid in the eulogy and by representatives of the government and Guyana Boxing Board of Control.

Delivering the eulogy, former manager Odinga Lumumba said: “He lived a full life. What Andrew achieved in 30 years, 90 per cent of the world would not in a lifetime. This is a success story. His achievements can be measured anywhere in the world.

Lumumba related how Andrews mother Sybil, brought him up as a single parent in Albouystown, going to school at East La Penitence Primary, then Lodge Community High, but his education was cut short to take care of his little brothers and sisters while his mother worked.

Although he grew up without the niceties of life, when Andrew grew up, he strove for his mother, brothers and sisters to get the things he did not receive, including a solid education.

Andrew is responsible for one little sister attending the University of Guyana,” Lumumba disclosed.

The boxer also played basketball, football and the steelpan, performing at the Mashramani level.

Lumumba almost lost his voice towards the end of the eulogy, then broke down with emotion at the end.

GBBC president KD Persaud said: “Andrew was a true sport and boxing ambassador of his country, who took his sport seriously and brought fame and glory to his native land.”

Persaud said Andrew enjoyed a brilliant start in the amateur ring that transferred to the professional arena, then he became a promoter.

In his own style, he had brains for boxing, and capability of a skilful boxer, a good and tactful leader, full of charisma and love for young boxers,” Persaud said. He added: “These qualities were demonstrated in his ability to train, coach, counsel, guide and prepare youngsters for local championships, Olympic and other professional boxing activities.”

Persaud pointed out that when boxing was going through a difficult patch, Andrew dedicated his earning to uplift the sport and young boxers.

Here was a true son of the soil, who gave back something to the nation from the profession he chose as a career,” Persaud declared.

Minister Teixeira said Andrew was giving back to the nation some of his glory when he met his untimely death. He came out of Albouystown as an amateur who rose to international acclaim when he won the Commonwealth title.

Andrew’s excellence in sport did not happen. It was achieved by hard work, dedication, discipline and sacrifice,” Minister Teixeira said.

The minister challenged young boxers, trainers, promoters and supporters to keep the flame of Andrew Murray burning, reaching into all parts of Guyana to bring out the potential Andrew Murrays.

Today we mourn, tomorrow we must work,” Minister Teixeira said.

Pastor John Smith said: When we are driven by purpose, and with the guidance of God, we can achieve those goals.”

But unfortunately, very few persons heard the accolades because of the poor public address system. Eventually, television personality, C.N. Sharma brought out a loud hailer to the applause of the large crowd.

When Pastor Smith took the podium, as if sent by God, a new public address system sprang into life, giving a good end to what was before an embarrassing send off for a great hero.

The funeral service officiated by Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green who later, along with Andrew’s amateur coach, George Oprecht, bore the casket out of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.