Govt still undecided on how to honour ‘King’ Lara

WORKERS were busy late yesterday in final preparations for a parade today to honour homecoming hero Brian Lara. The workers were seen erecting special lights along the Brian Lara promenade,  Port-of-Spain. These lights will adorn poles along the Promenade. A massive stage was also being erected  for a cultural extravaganza in Lara’s honour. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 4 pm. Cabinet is expected to meet in special session this morning to discuss how best it can honour West Indies captain and Trinidadian, Brian Lara, for reclaiming the record for the highest test score by an individual.

The decision is expected to be made known at the afternoon celebrations to welcome Lara home. PNM chairman and Works and Transport Minister, Franklyn Khan, yesterday made the disclosure during a press conference following the party’s General Council meeting at Balisier House. Khan said accolades were given by party members to Lara on his “magnificent performance” on April 12 at the Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s, Antigua against the visiting English team. Khan said Cabinet will meet to “decide what to do specifically for Lara, independent of the celebrations.” He said the Prime Minister will later reveal the decision.

Lara is expected to arrive at Piarco International airport at 1 pm to a “grand welcome” where he will be met by Cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps. A reception and cultural show will be held at the airport, to which members of the public are invited. The PNM’s public relations officer, Jerry Narace, said schoolchildren have also been invited to line the route, the Eastern Main Road, via which Lara would make his entrance into Port-of-Spain to the Brian Lara Promenade. Tomorrow, Lara is expected to visit Chaguanas and South Trinidad. Lara returned home briefly last Friday, when he met with the Prime Minister and Sports Minister Roger Boynes at Whitehall to discuss plans on how to honour him. Lara also met family members and his daughter, Sydney, before returning to Guyana to join the West Indies team for its first One- Day International game against England, which was played yesterday. Lara is currently on 10 days rest from the game because of an injury to one of his fingers.