Tributes For Cricketer Khiry Furbert
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Tributes have poured in for former Bermuda and Cup Match cricketer Khiry Furbert, who died following a shooting.
A talented wicketkeeper, Mr Furbert played for Western Stars Sports Club and represented Somerset in the annual Cup Match Classic in 2022.
That same year, he earned a place on the Bermuda national team for a tour of Jersey in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B.
Cal Blankendal, the Bermuda Cricket Board executive director, expressed heartfelt condolences to Furbert’s family and friends.
He described Mr Furbert as a “lively, outgoing individual” with an undeniable “passion for sports,” particularly cricket.
“He always conducted himself as an individual with a lot of energy. That’s how he played the game,” Mr Blankendal told Bernews.
“He always motivated those around him to improve and held himself accountable – he loved the game so much.
“He was talented enough to represent Bermuda at the senior level in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He was among 14 young men prepared to travel and compete during a global crisis.
“He also showcased himself as one of the best 22 players on the island by representing Somerset in the annual Cup Match Classic. It’s a huge loss for local cricket.
“We offer our condolences to Mr Furbert’s friends, family, and Western Stars Sports Club.
“Regardless of your sport, you want to be a local grass-roots hero. You want to write yourself into the folklore of the island through the sport of your choice. Khiry was able to do that.”
Mr Blankendal also shared personal memories of playing football alongside Mr Furbert for Dandy Town Roots in the Bermuda Football Association Masters League.
“I knew Khiry relatively well,” he said. “He’d sometimes pull on his football boots to play for Dandy Town Roots. Cricket was always his number one sport, though.
“He had a big influence on everyone around him. He was someone you’d always hear when he walked into a room. We shared some good times.”
Kamau Leverock, a former team-mate of Mr Furbert for Bermuda and Somerset, reflected on their time together.
“He lit up every room and had jokes for days,” Leverock said. “He was the main character in the room. Everything was about happiness with him.
“He was always the centre of attention, whether he wanted to be or not. He was talented and one of the best wicketkeepers of his age coming up. He was under the tutelage of Jekon Edness at Western Stars as a youngster.
“I’d like to express my condolences to all his family. The news really shook me up. I’ll try and remember all the good things we went through as team-mates and friends.”
The police previously said, “If you were in the area of Tribe Road No. 5, Ord Road Paget and may have seen anyone or heard anything suspicious, whether a person or vehicle, sometime between midnight and 12:45am just prior to the incident, please let us know. No matter how insignificant you may believe it to be.
“You may contact the Senior Investigative Officer, Detective Sergeant 2193 Odessa Philip at ophilip@bps.bm, 717-2193, or you can call the Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477. You can also utilise the BPS online community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm. Should you be more comfortable telling an officer you know, please reach out to them. Again, the BPS extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Furbert’s family.”
