Lara WI ‘Player of the Year’

WEST INDIES captain Brian Lara copped the inaugural West Indies Players Association Cricketer of the Year award at a gala ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad. Lara won the award ahead of Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan who were also short-listed for the prestigious award on Wednesday night. Also in winners row were fast bowlers Ravi Rampaul who collected the Young Cricketer of the Year title and Tino Best who grabbed the First Class Cricketer of the Year award.

The function was jointly hosted by the WIPA and First Citizens Bank and  was doubled with the WIPA’s second charity dinner. WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said the awards were given to the players for their distinguished performances on the field of play for the West Indies and their national teams. Ramnarine also praised the corporate sector for the support of the function and lamented the fact West Indies cricket might be down but it is definitely not out. He joked, the West Indies team performance in the first Test might have been a ploy to lull the English into a false sense of security. Ramnarine also had some news for the players, informing them that WIPA are in the process of finalising both a Collective Agreement and a Retainer contract system for them. Ex-West Indies great Desmond Haynes delivered the feature address and called for “Operation Fightback” in order to get the West Indies back to the top of the Test heap.

Haynes was magnificent in his delivery and captured the attention of the huge audience with his keen sense of humour and knowledge of the game. He called on the shapers of West Indies cricket to put in place “Operation Fightback.” “There are so many things that have gone wrong with our cricket and history will be replete with examples of the misfortunes, the foul ups and the blunders. “In fact the WICB will probably be seen as taking the majority of the blame. “It is no secret that the Board has been almost motionless in updating the structure of cricket in the region to make it more modern, competitive and sustaining.”

Haynes also had a stern message for West Indies players: “I want you to forget the excuses and be pro-active enough to take the initiative to do whatever is necessary to correct any technical flaws, strengthen your mental resolve and get the job done for the sake of West Indies cricket.  “I want you to ‘Live the Passion,’ ‘Answer the Call’ and ‘Get in the Game.”’ Sports Minister Roger Boynes who also attended said his ministry plans to  consult with the TTCBC to prepare a National Development Plan for the entire country, to assist in restoring cricket to its former glory in Trinidad and Tobago.