Rally ’round Brian lara

THE EDITOR: I would like to publicly state my approval of the stance taken by Brian Lara, in accordance with this whole sorry fiasco that is currently plaguing West Indies cricket. Brian’s approach to this whole sorry fiasco has made my admiration for him increase tenfold. Brian has given yeoman’s service to the region, as one of its leading sports ambassadors. His feats have given hope to the true West Indian cricket fans that cricket is not dead in the region and he (Lara) has been living proof that we can still produce cricketing stars who can wrangle it with the world’s best.

By taking this principled stance, Brian has shown that he has grown both as a cricketer and as a leader despite the many trials and tribulations that he has had to publicly endure over the years. It is therefore even more disgraceful to see the way that the WICB has been treating him since the arrival of our new sponsor Digicel. The entire region therefore needs to rally behind Lara and the six Cable and Wireless (CW) contracted players. Gayle and Sarwan have been the most successful players on the WI team for the past couple years (apart from Lara of course). They have brought honour to the West Indies and they both have earned the admiration and the respect of some of the world’s leading cricketers. The CW six would have been the ones trying to carry the mantle of West Indies cricket over the next decade, and by the WICB treating them in such a shabby manner, what guarantee do we then have that they would ultimately always give 100 percent to the cause of West Indian cricket?

I am therefore calling on all of the true cricket fans of the region to let their voices be heard on this issue. Cricket has been the only thing that has really served to unite us all over the past 75 years, and is therefore imperative that we do not let the most unifying force in the region be destroyed by forces who ultimately do not have West Indies cricket’s interests at heart. We must therefore show our true worth as a West Indian people, by doing as our cricket anthem says and “Rally ’round the West Indies” because if this sorry situation is not resolved soon it can lead to the detriment of West Indies cricket.

The value of West Indian cricket to the region is indeed priceless (and not US $20 million as the board seems to think), the people must therefore have the courage to stand up and protect the most precious gem in the region. I would like to close by saying to Brian, that he has quite a huge following that believes in his cause, and I wish him well in his future endeavours and hope that the Lord continues to bless him with the courage to continue fighting for the cause of West Indian cricket.

NAVIN T RAMKISOON
Loyal Windies Fan