AT the very real risk of feeding both the journalistic egos and political agendas of known detractors and columnists, I write as a friend of the Ministry of Sport and admirer of our Guyanese cricketing icon, Clive Hubert Lloyd. It is true that Clive’s name and integrity should be (and have been) kept alone and free of controversial exchanges between the stakeholders in Guyana, and among Guyana, the West Indies Players Association and the West Indies Cricket Board.
Lloyd, being one of us mortals, is subject to human frailties and couldn’t be an angel. However as a cricketer, a cricket administrator and international arbiter of the game, his cricketing integrity cannot be sullied by lesser mortals – directly or indirectly. How dare local ambitious pretenders question Clive’s patriotism and insinuate that he accepted the Sports Minister’s invitation merely for the money. So they know that Clive Lloyd is that broke or needy?
It is not for me to sink to the now usual level of character assassination, or innuendo, but can we really compare Lloyd’s experience, capabilities and stature with the likes of the individuals now manning the Guyana Cricket Board?
Even though we are aware of the specific acumen of some of the GCB’s business-oriented ‘officials’ let’s be serious even when attempting to disrespect an eminent Guyanese objective in volunteering to bring our cricket right back.
Finally, a word to our own Colin Croft: be respectful to your former, illustrious captain and be mindful that your rather unpatriotic and mercenary decision to defy a ban and travel to South Africa (only to suffer that specific humiliation), did not result in much (justifiable) ridicule being heaped upon you.
The strong language utilised by you in your latest Sunday (Kaieteur News) column may win you temporary popularity amongst your uniformed readership, but it fails miserably to address the causes, consequences and attempted correction with respect to Guyana’s cricketing imbroglio.
I am confident that good sense is going to prevail in Guyana. There is no other option. I am wondering if you as a Guyanese from Chanderpaul’s village, would not find it appropriate to volunteer your time and wisdom to lasting solutions as Clive H. Lloyd is attempting to do.