CPL has demonstrated the passion for cricket

Dear Editor,

The ongoing responses by Regional crowds to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have once again demonstrated the passion West Indians have for cricket. CPL has truly become a family event and epitomises the positive evolution of cricket watching. Commendations are in order for the organisers, teams, fans and all those involved.

It is clear that the crowds are an integral part of the CPL’s matrix. The adulation by fans for players has precipitated an acceptance, as seen in other such formats, of “one team” regardless of where a player hails.

Adam Zampa “is we own”, to borrow the phrase. Tanveer “is we own”, Guptill “is we own”, as authentic as Barnwell, Permaul and Bisshoo; the same for the other teams.

Having witnessed over time the outpouring of support to players, I remain a bit concerned over the general recognition for past cricketers. While there have been some commendable efforts over the years, I believe the time has come to intensify and centralise those efforts for a more structured approach.

Allow me to suggest a holistic national effort to create a prestigious “space” (not confined to the internet) to bring focus to and genuinely recognise our past players. What is currently being done by some can be incorporated and refined, if necessary, for practicality in the present time.

Guyana has gifted the cricketing world a plethora of outstanding cricketers of which, in my opinion, only a few make it to related conversations today. While evolution through time is undeniable, a designated space to document and preserve our cricketing history seems more relevant now.

Here are my humble suggestions.

First is the ambitious suggestion for a cricketing museum. While population may impact on feasibility, pride is abundant. For Such a venture to be effective, its design must be contemporary and aesthetically pleasing; its content must be comprehensive and access to the information must be easily facilitated through modern acceptable devices within. There is no shortage of a related prototype from other countries.

I believe this is a venture that the government can assist with but would need partners. This is another opportunity for collaboration with the Private Sector, the Guyana Cricket Board and if possible, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), CPL and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

One may argue why just a cricket museum when there are other sporting fraternities that would claim to qualify for such recognition. While in my opinion, cricket is a more dominant sport, I would welcome a National Sports Museum which includes cricket.

In addition, I wish to reiterate the sentiments expressed by others in the past for the National Stadium reflecting the pride in recognising former players. My suggestions would be as follows:

Name the Providence facility the Lloyd/Chanderpaul Stadium after Clive Lloyd and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Rename the three stands, Red, Green & Orange, as the Fredricks/Kallicharran (after Roy Fredricks and Alvin Kallicharran); Kanhai/Butcher (after Rohan Kanhai and Basil Butcher and the Fernandes/Solomon stands; the latter after Maurice Fernandes, the first Guyanese to represent the West Indies and to captain the Regional team, along with Joe Solomon who was integral in the historic first tied Test match.

Name the Media Pavilion after Joseph “Reds” Pereira.

Name the VIP stand the Christiani/Pairaudeau Pavilion after Robert Christiani and Bruce Pairaudeau, two Guyanese who represented the West Indies in the ’50s.

Name the Players stand the Hooper/Sarwan Pavilion after Carl Hooper and Ramnaresh Sarwan, both former captains of the West Indies cricket team.

Name the bowling approaches the Gibbs/Butts and the Croft/Harper Ends after Lance Gibbs, Clyde Butts, Colin Croft and Roger Harper.

Name the Venue Operation Centre (VOC) the Camacho/Singh Centre/Pavilion after Stephen Camacho and Chetram Singh, two outstanding cricket administrators.

The facility which houses the Ground Staff and the Scoreboard, be named after a grounds-man or an umpire who would have contributed to the development of the game.

Consideration could also be given to naming the entrances (the turnstiles) possibly after Clayton Lambert and Leonard Baichan, respectively. Both played a limited number of Test matches but gave yeoman service to Guyanese cricket.

A National Cricket Hall of Fame can be introduced with inductions possibly every two years.

Finally, the NDCs can derive mechanisms either through street names, busts, billboards, etc to recognise players from within their areas. I am sure a special fund for such recognition would not be too farfetched.

These proposed efforts not only recognise the players, but would foster interest among the young within the community. We are all proud; maybe the time has come to demonstrate more profoundly, how much.

Sincerely,

Neaz Subhan