Govt wonders how to honour ‘the King’

WHAT can you give a man who has everything? That is what Government will have to think long and hard about, said Sports Minister Roger Boynes yesterday following Brian Lara’s record breaking 400 Test runs at the St John’s Grounds, Antigua. Lara who set the record of 375 runs ten years ago at the same ground, had the title snatched away from him last October by Australian Matthew Hayden, who scored 380 as the new Test record to beat. Yesterday, Lara in breaking that record to reclaim the title, also became one of only two cricketers to score triple centuries.

Boynes yesterday described Lara’s record breaking achievement as “tremendous and an inspiration to the whole country, especially the youths.” He said Government will recognise and honour Lara for his latest achievement but added, “we will have to think long and hard about how to honour him, especially since he “has everything.” Boynes said Government would meet with Lara to determine what is in his best interest as well as the country as a whole. He added that “these are exciting times and he’s no longer the Prince of Port-of-Spain, but the King of Port-of-Spain.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said it was difficult to find superlatives to describe “a man who has broken two world records within a decade.” He labelled Lara as a “world cricketing legend” saying by setting a new record, he “has taken the entire Caribbean to a quantum leap forward... and the tremendous achievement proves that the people of TT and the Caribbean are capable of greatness.” More than that, Manning said Lara’s achievement was “symbolic of what we are capable of achieving when we harness our strengths and persevere with grit and determination in pursuit of excellence.”

“It demonstrates further your triumph in regaining the ascendancy in your cricketing career.” Manning said Lara had also “realised our collective dream of taking West Indian cricket to new heights” and wished Lara continued success. The UNC, in its congratulatory message, said Lara’s accomplishment “has brought great pride and recognition to Trinidad and Tobago, the West Indies and the entire Caricom region.” The UNC added that Lara’s “world class performance has set new standards for excellence and achievement in the sport of cricket, and it will serve as an impetus for future generations of cricketers all over the world.” The party said Lara had become a symbol of national success and a source of great pride, noting that not only can TT citizens compete with the best in the world, but blaze new trails for others to follow.