Screaming children greet Lara in Sando

Like the great sages of old who transformed nations by their words and actions, West Indian cricketing great, Brian Charles Lara, yesterday advised hordes of screaming school-children in San Fernando to face adversity with a strength that comes from within the human spirit. Unlike the inclement weather that greeted the batting champion’s arrival on Monday in Port-of-Spain, Lara’s arrival in the southern city, which was almost three hours late, took place under scorching sunshine. However, the long wait did not deter the large crowd, some of whom had gathered from as early as 11.30 am to await the arrival of the Prince of Port-of-Spain.

When he arrived at approximately 3 pm, surrounded by a large contingent of police officers, the large crowd erupted with resounding cheers, and when he mounted the podium, the cheers rose to a fever pitch. Lara, who appeared physically exhausted having started the tour earlier in the day by visiting the Mayors of Port-of-Spain and Chaguanas, apologised for the late start. With the large crowd lapping up every word, the West Indian captain recalled that, not too long ago, many persons had approached him on why he had not yet retired from the West Indies team. “You must face adversity with a strength of character,” he said. Lara, who until recently had faced a barrage of criticism concerning the losses inflicted on the regional team by the touring English players, also said introspection was a vital ingredient in regaining one’s focus and courage. “Walk away. Take time. Think it out and think of the future,” he said.

Lara was also presented with the city’s highest award, a plaque to the City of San Fernando. San Fernando Mayor, Ian Atherly, in making the presentation, reminded the audience that Lara had received the keys to the city when he had first broken the world batting record in 1994.
Atherly said the West Indian captain’s exploits were a “challenge to the human spirit to go beyond the boundary in whatever we do.” “You have restored the wounded pride of our cricketing people,” he said, adding that the cricket-mad fans of the southern city “deserve no less” than the proposed Brian Lara Multi-Purpose Caribbean Sporting Academy, which Prime Minister Patrick Manning promised at Monday’s gala reception for the cricketing superstar. His sentiments were echoed by Sports Minister Roger Boynes, who predicted that, with Lara’s flashing blade, the West Indies team was capable of winning the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. Last stop on the two-day celebration tour was a courtesy call to the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation.