Former T&T Badminton Association and Caribbean Badminton Association president and Technical director, Wendell Labastide has passed away.
According to his close friend Derwin Renales, the 61-year-old Labastide, who was the president of Shuttle Force Badminton Club, complained of feeling unwell and warm on Wednesday and went into his van at his Toco Road, Sangre Grande home to relax a bit where he was eventually found slumped over.
Renales, in reflecting on the life of his close friend Labastde—who was also a member of the T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC)—noted that Labastide was always willing to assist the players in any way possible.
“He was involved in the sport for close to 40 years and I have worked with him side by side at numerous tournaments and his passing is no doubt a big loss to our club as well the entire badminton fraternity,” stated Renales.