Lequay has nothing to fear

YOU DO not have to be a rocket scientist to deduce with some degree of certainty that Deryck Murray has gravely miscalculated his chances of assuming the leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board. In fact, in elections on Saturday to find a replacement for the outgoing president Alloy Lequay, the majority of the 43 delegates are widely expected to elect current vice-president Ellis Lewis. It will be a ringing endorsement of the stewardship of Mr Lequay whose main concern throughout the democratic process has been one of continuity, a message which has particular resonance with his membership.

It is not by chance that Mr Lequay has managed to keep the organisation that is the TTCB together over the years despite the stinging criticism (some fair and most unjustified) and petty brickbats hurled his way. What his detractors have failed to realise is that for more than four decades Mr Lequay has devoted his time and enormous reservoir of energy (he is now close to 80 years old) to public life. Specifically he has crafted the structure of local cricket into his likeness through dint of hard work, forming alliances with an uncanny sense of give and take, exemplifying all that he has learnt  in the cut and thrust area of politics over the years. And make no bones about it, Mr Lequay is a consumate politician.

He has shown that in order to be a success as an administrator, especially in the field of cricket (where in Trinidad and Tobago there are more than a million armchair critics) you have to keep your trusted servants close and leave the door always open for your staunchest opponents. The confidence shown in Mr Lequay has enabled him to reshape the local cricket landscape with astonishing results creating the best opportunities for the young players to strive to attain the highest levels of the game. He has been assisted in his vision by a cadre of selfless executive members whose contribution over the years has in the main gone unnoticed, playing their part to the hilt in bolstering the game’s structure from the club level up.
Now as crunch time approaches, Mr Lequay has nothing to fear from Murray, the former West Indies wicketkeeper and mathematical wizard who after many years abroad has come back home and is attempting to make a meaningful contribution.

Murray’s credentials are impeccable and he may be an ideal candidate for the job. But as Mr Lequay has pointed out Murray must work his way up. One can’t possibly start at the top. Albeit he was given one of the most powerful positions in local cricket, being appointed Director of the new Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre at Balmain Village Couva, incidentally by Mr Lequay. However a promotion by his employers, Guardian Holdings prevented him from fulfilling the terms of his contract but he now harbours ambitions of returning to the fold as leader of Mr Lequay’s flock. Not an easy trick. Murray’s supporters also are not doing him any favours either making personal attacks on Mr Lequay’s character and motives, some even hinting that “The Chief” may be too old for the job and should take a rest. If that’s not discrimination because of age, I wonder what is? Mr Lequay has so much more to offer this country’s cricket that I suspect his supporters are wishing he remains in the topmost level of administration until 2007 when the West Indies stage the World Cup for the first time. It would be an ideal send-off for the straight-talking, honest son of the soil whose humble beginnings have suitably prepared him for the challenges that he has faced throughout his life in the public domain. Mr Lequay should be particularly applauded for accepting the offer to stay on as Chief Executive Officer after Saturday’s elections as he would have the opportunity to oversee the plans he has put into motion. This would ensure that Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket remain in good hands for many years to come.
The king is gone, long live the king!