Hooper, a well-respected regional icon

The Editor: As the 2003 international season gets underway in the Caribbean, cricket is now foremost in most peoples’ minds. The series against Australia and Sri Lanka will prove whether the team rebuilding process succeeded.

The WICB hosted a press conference on Monday last to announce its management team and there are some issues surrounding that event that need to be ventilated. First, there is the issue of the appointment of the captain. Let me state clearly that I am not questioning the replacement of Carl Hooper — I view this as the prerogative of the Board. What I am questioning is the manner in which it was done. This administration came to office promising to be a kinder, gentler administration for whom player concerns would be paramount. In pursuance of that objective, I would have thought that the Board would have extended a word of consolation and appreciation to Carl at this time.

That would have delivered a clear message to player and public alike that the Board is sincere about the well-being of cricketers and West Indies cricket. Shame on Mr Hall and his administration for this grave omission!  After all, this is the current West Indies longest serving individual who has not only held the most prestigious position in regional cricket, but he has served with great humility, dignity and distinction.  

I am sure that I speak for millions of sporting fans in the four corners of the world when I say that we appreciate the grace that Carl Hooper brings to this great game. Though his employers may not think it prudent to do so, we wish to express our gratitude to him as a player and for shouldering the thankless job of captaincy during this critical rebuilding period. The fact that the young players have blossomed under his leadership is testimony to his contribution.

This brings me to a second issue. In the information age, it is now impossible to “fool all of the people all of the time”. The immediate past coach, Roger Harper, is credited with a statement that insularity is creeping back into West Indies cricket and that this will be its undoing. Does the Board think that there is any merit in this comment? It is no secret that there is a story making the rounds of the internet to the effect that discipline on the recent World Cup tour left much to be desired and that there was an unbecoming public altercation between coach and a certain very senior player who allegedly displayed a level of petulance and egotism at a practice session that has no place in team sport. One is forced to ask the question, is super brat back? Does this administration think that it is in the long-term interest of West Indies cricket? In his reference to “insularity”, is Roger Harper reflecting on the adage “no ‘man’ is an island”?

It is very significant that team manager Ricky Skerritt is the only member of the former management team to survive this recent shake-up. Given his well publicised difficulties with the previous president and vice-president; the over-riding of a tour management decision to send Marlon Samuels home from a recent tour of the Indian sub-continent for disciplinary reasons; Harper’s recent admonition about insularity creeping back into West Indies cricket; and clear indications of disunity and low morale in South Africa, as team manager, should he not be held accountable?

The cricket public needs to know from the WICB what the Carl Hooper’s current status in West Indies cricket is. Will the team be chosen on merit and will Carl Hooper have a fair opportunity to compete for selection as a player? Brian Lara stated that Carl would be welcome, but one is forced to ask the question what is Lara’s locus standi, since Hall stated clearly on the radio programme Best and Mason that Lara is merely captain select, since his contract is yet to be negotiated. What are we to make of the much puiblicised reassurances given to Hooper by Sir Vivian Richards, chairman of selectors, following his announcement that he needed time to assess his future role in West Indies cricket? Things get curiouser and curiouser by the day. Surely, we need to hear from Mr. Hall on this matter.

My caution to the WICB is that this is an issue that has to be confronted urgently. At the start of our most important Test cricket engagement in decades, we cannot afford to allow insensitivity and incompetence to create a public relations nightmare, particularly in as much as the world is constantly assessing our suitability to host the 2007 World Cup. Cricket is a West Indian institution and Carl Hooper is a regional icon. Neither the institution nor the man deserves to be treated in a cavalier, undignified fashion. Time will tell, but by their words and deeds the administrators may have unnecessarily invited a crisis of confidence.

Finally, the tassa drums that urged Carl on to a brilliant unbeaten century at Albion on Monday and Tuesday are clear in their message. To the cross section of Guyanese, this issue transcends race, it transcends nationality and it transcends politics. This is a fundamental issue of common decency. My experience as an international sportsman, cricket and public administrator who has lived and worked across the length and breath of Guyana tells me that Guyanese will unite in support of Carl Hooper. For the good of the game and the welfare of present and future generations of cricketers, my plea is that this climate of arrogance and insensitivity should be brought to an end.

Wilton A Angoy
St Michael’s
Barbados