Is it a gentleman’s game? Or is it gentlemen playing games

THE EDITOR: Please permit me space in your column to write an open letter to the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Mr Ellis Lewis. I refer to a letter dated May 18, 2002 delivered to Mr Baldath Bodoe coach of (TTCB) South Zone Under 13 Cricket Team and (cc) James Wilson, Manager of the said team, requesting an evaluation of my son Akida Boissiere. Copies of the said letter were also submitted to the former President of the (TTCB) Mr Alloy Lequay and Mr Leo Doodnath Chairman of the (TTCB), South Zone by registered mail through TTPost. However, in spite of my numerous requests as agreed upon by all parties concerned I have not received this most outstanding and elusive evaluation of my son Akida Boissiere as promised, which as a result, is directly affecting the true quality of his preparation for selection on the West Indies Team for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

Akida is a student of a prominent Cricket Coaching School, which recommended and endorsed his participation to zonal and national cricket trials. Therefore, this evaluation is critical to his future planning and development, your failure to deliver is definitely a tremendous setback to his progress and programme. In the circumstances, I once again submitted a registered mail through TTPost dated December 10, 2003. The signatory of the promised evaluation was Mr Rambhai Patel, Administrative Officer of the (TTCB). I also (cc) Mr Alloy Lequay, reminding him and refreshing his memory of the promise as agreed by you goodly gentlemen. A copy was also submitted to the new president, Mr Ellis Lewis of the (TTCB) together with all relevant correspondence for his perusal.

To date I have not seen nor heard from Mr Lewis, nor anyone else. Thus, I hereby make a vehement public appeal to you Mr President Ellis Lewis to deal with this outstanding matter, even if you have to use the third umpire. You promised during your aspiration to office that your focus will be on development of this beautiful family sport, which include Gentlemen, Lunch, Tea and other family matters. I ask the question, Cricket Lovely Cricket: Is it a Gentleman’s Game of is it Gentlemen Playing Games? I have attached a copy of a letter dated August 5, 2002 and signed by Mr Rambhai Patel for your (editor’s) attention, which read “Dear Mr Boissiere, further to your letter of 21/06/02 I hereby advise that an investigation was conducted in relation to your complaint. We have received correspondence from Mr Leo Doodnath (Chairman South Zone) stating that all parties have agreed that an evaluation be forwarded to you by Mr Baldath Bodoe.”

This evaluation as promised is yet to be fulfilled which resulted in the non-participation of my son’s budding cricket career in the 2003 youth competition. He was forced to play senior cricket with men twice and three times his age while you guys continue to enjoy your elected and exalted offices of your heart’s desire, as a consequence. My son’s interest in cricket is being severely affected. I have to speak with him on a daily basis reminding him that this chapter of his career will motivate many young persons who will have similar experiences in the field of cricket, other sports and life in general. I praise and thank God for this experience. I sincerely believe that God can and He will. To God be the glory.

It is often said that children must be seen but not heard, children have no voice. Yes, they must be seen but not heard but sometimes they must not be even much less be heard. I therefore bat for and on behalf of Akida and the hundreds of other youths who stand up, but are not counted. Could you imagine “Lara” without “Bunty?” or Venus and Serena without Mr Williams? Could you imagine making a promise, an agreement and having a signature by an executive officer affixed to same for the benefit of a child’s development and to date has not yet delivered? I now call upon you publicly to not only keep the score but to get into the gentleman’s game. As for me I have learnt that spectators are sometimes even more at risk of injuries than the players themselves. I now challenge you to get into the game and score big, but don’t be trapped on the back foot. Play every ball on its merit, this ball surely has merit.

My spell is not over, (I promise you) but it is the end of the over. I judge a man by his actions and not his words. I taught my son the rules of the game. He is indeed a good student and certainly understands that he can be “Run Out” but he also understands that nobody must or can Run Him Out or else I will certainly hit out over the top, from the non-striker’s end, and bat for my son at the striker’s end. This scenario is certainly a challenge and challenges naturally bring out the best in me in this beautiful family game. The best is yet to come. “2004 For Sure” 2007 Much More Act Now. Tomorrow might be too late. A lovely day for cricket, blue skies, gentle breeze and gentlemen I now close my inning and look forward to your reply on a wicket ideal for batting. Yes, Cricket Lovely Cricket, How’s Zat?
I am respectfully forward
Not Out!
On the Front Foot

TERRENCE BOISSIERE
Challenged Parent for Youth Development
Marabella