Lara hopes Academy utilised year-round

In an interview on Thursday, following a media conference at his Lady Chancellor Hill, St Ann’s residence, the cricketing legend stated, “my whole idea about this facility is what is going to happen (there) day-in, day-out.” Lara continued, “I’m not calling any names of any facilities but you drive past them and you ask if any activity is going on. I don’t want that to be what’s going to happen at Tarouba. I’m hoping that when I walk in Tarouba it’s like I’m walking in Lord’s (cricket ground in London, England), and people are there working when there is no cricket. That is what I want to see when I go down there.

I want to see action.

I don’t want it to be a ghost town.

“I know we’re seasonal in terms of cricket but, we as a country, have to make sure that (the) facility becomes something that we’re proud of.” The batting maestro reminisced about a conversation he had with former Prime Minister Patrick Manning after breaking the world record a second time with a scintillating 400 not out against England in Antigua. Lara told the late Manning he wanted to leave a legacy that would last forever.

“I was adamant that I wanted nothing on a personal level but something that would leave a legacy marking the achievement. This country has given me too much already, the love and support, the tangibles and intangibles I am truly grateful for and still am. I felt that young cricketers in the Caribbean needed better facilities and a place where they could advance their skills both sporting and academically in the right environment,” he said.

Lara went into the detail discussing the input of several persons in his life including his parents Pearl and Bunty, Sir Garfield Sobers, Joey Carew and Sir Vivian Richards to name a few.

He recalled watching village cricket on his father’s lap and being carried to Harvard Coaching Clinic where he had fun while learning the rudiments of the game.

“I would return with wonderful stories about my day and my mother Pearl Lara would listen, then send me to shower, she fed me and then I was back out playing again. That was a daily routine for her and don’t forget she had another ten kids to make sure they were all alright,” he said.

Lara said it was a difficult period when his father passed away just as he was about to break into the West Indies team but he learned a lot while observing his then captain Sir Vivian and pacers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose with Sir Gary still his mentor.

But with the era of the great Windies teams passing, a prime Lara found himself on a team lacking leaders, constantly reshuffled and short of confidence.

“I found myself during this period of West Indies cricket in a very peculiar battle. One where panic and disarray set in, and the confidence of young players at its lowest, helped by constant reshuffling of the pack. There was no respite, I didn’t know where to look, motivation from within the camp was non-existent with everyone on edge. Sachin Tendlukar was the batsman I felt I had to measure up against and I used him as motivation to go out there and perform,” Lara declared.