Local fans get World Cup dregs

Many will distance themselves from the reality which is an absentee Cricket World Cup 2007 for Trinidad and Tobago. Despite all the expressions of unity and team play, which by themselves are rubbish and uttered in a political environment, just mere ramblings of one desperate man trying to find an away out, the truth is that our ship has sunk. Cricket is the foremost sport in the region, and Trinidad and Tobago have been left holding their hands in shame, the colour of the package “brown” is symbolic of the mess we have put ourselves in. To only be issued with opening matches from one group over a two-week period, suggests that both the Queen’s Park Oval and the Government should not invest the respective proposed sums of $100 million and $40 million. If it is also true that Trinidad and Tobago only finally signed off on the host agreement last week, then the ICC have every reason to kick us in the stomach, because of our procrastination. We have been sent packing, outmaneuvered, left scarred, and some say caught with our hands out begging but in the final analysis were finally outsmarted by our Caribbean neighbours.

Behind the scenes, they supported us in protesting this bidding format to the International Cricket Council, but secretly, they all did what was required on time, while we looked to beat our chest about “Caribbean integration”. We wanted their support for the FTAA but does anyone really believe we will be allowed that facility here, other than the politicians? Some say, there was not enough money to be made from the World Cup 2007 bid and that is why many politicians were not interested. Whatever the reason, the venue assessment team (VAT) removed Trinidad and Tobago as the lone bidder on the “Yellow package” and decided to share the spoils of the World Cup 2007 between the two other high profile Caribbean nations, whose governments were visibly enthusiastic about the World Cup. Thus Jamaica and Barbados, who both bid for the Grand Final, had a share in the compromise. Do not be deceived by the role of the West Indies Cricket Board in all of this or the fact that those who control the various boards are from Barbados and Jamaica. In reality many visualise insularity, but like a needle on a thread, they are two similar and inseparable parts of West Indian cricket.

The sooner we in Trinidad and Tobago realise that representation is critical to Trinidad and Tobago’s progress, the better. Brian Charles Lara is indeed the West Indies captain, but he is only one man, sailing into a headwind with not enough brave soldiers. The hurt is that the people of this country who have contributed their time and energy in hard work and industry to build this country, will not be allowed the chance to experience a World Cup 2007 in the truest sense. The bottom of the barrel matches between India and probably Zimbabwe/Bangladesh, along with two qualifiers who could be Canada and the United Emirates are not mouth-watering to say the least. Why must we delude ourselves? This is a slap in the face for Trinidad and Tobago, and to all those sporting people in Trinidad and Tobago, I apologise on behalf of the powers that be. To those youngsters out there, who want to be involved in sport and spend their hard-earned time and their families’ funds to excel in sport, and now realise that they live in a society where the “powers that be” don’t care one iota about sport. I apologise on behalf of the powers that be.

To the Trinidad and Tobago players on the West Indies team, I apologise because it is clear your country cares not about sport, at least not as much as the other Caribbean countries. Can you imagine the scenes in Barbados or in Jamaica if this happened? People would have been upset and the respective Prime Ministers of  both countries, Messrs Owen Arthur and PJ Patterson would have been forthright in their condemnation. But then, we do live in Trinidad and Tobago, where priorities are not always conducive to  intelligent thinking, particularly by the powers that be. But again, I do apologise for this. To all those elderly people, who have dreamt a world of glorious cricket, first all of this is not a dream, and therefore wipe away your tears, your country do not deserve this weeping as the people who are in command don’t care. I do, and I apologise for all the hurt and pain running through your veins. May your grandchildren live to see something great come their way again. To the West Indies team, you needed us, just as we needed you. We have been one with you all these years, giving you several great players so let us pray they are not turning too awkwardly in their new lives.

Maybe it is best after all, that they were not here to witness the travesty we have been dealt by the powers that be. For that and more (in anticipation of other punishments), I do sincerely apologise. In all of this, we have not heard too much from the Local Bid Committee, comprising of several leading business and sporting figures, some even from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control. Is it that people got it so wrong? Was it that poor facilities (Queen’s Park Oval) and hotels were inadequate? Accommodation and transportation have been described as critical. Did we fail in our presentation by these local intellects? Perhaps no one will be willing to speak the truth, because of fear of victimisation and oppression. But in the end, the wrong done to this country is a dagger deeper than the one Brutus placed in Julius Caesar because he was just a friend.

We are supposed to be family in this country. To all those young parents, who wished for their children to enjoy the colour and pageantry that many enjoyed from our Peter Minshall at previous Olympic Games’ opening ceremony, I apologise for those who forgot about the people. To those in the media in this country, who because of their old age and grey beards and empty bellies sell their souls in silence, I apologise to this nation for all of you, may you one day realise that your role was more than to earn a salary every month. To those who believed that I called it right yet again on Thursday, May 6 on Isports Thursday on I95.5FM Radio, when I said this country would pay for its tardiness and the pronunciations by the powers that be, I apologize for being right yet again. It is becoming a bad habit though in sports for me.