EDITORIAL -
It was not about the West Indies Cricket team and their dismal performance much to the dismay of regional cricket fans. It was not about any political party in or out of government and who build stadium.
It was about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) hosting Cricket World Cup for the first time. With about ten One Day International (ODI) playing countries, it could take another fifty years before Cricket World Cup returns to the West Indies.
After initial regional complaints and protest about pricing and restrictions, by the time the games got to Grenada much of the concerns were addressed.
Maybe because of the early exit of India and Pakistan and the withdrawal of their fans, much cheaper tickets were available well within the reach of West Indian fans. Protests on restrictions bore much fruit such that, much to the delight of enthusiast, food and musical instruments were allowed.
In that regard, the many fans who did not avail themselves of the opportunity of attending matches in CWC 2007 have missed a golden opportunity to be part of history and for a great many, that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The many children who attended the games may have another opportunity in their late fifties or sixties or seventies; or how many would want to go to cricket during their eightieth years?
Some are prepared to use all kinds of flimsy excuses in their own defense. The West Indies team performed or badly that many regional fans lost interest. Maybe they are forgetting that Cricket is much bigger than the players, and the game will be on top even when teams are down. In Grenada, there are so many who politicized the event, associating the historic event with party and hence refusing to attend. Sadly, they failed to understand that ICC CWC 2007 is much bigger than any party or government.
The two weeks of cricket brought great excitement to Grenada, not only at the stadium but throughout the country, and for that nationals ought to be justly proud. Considering that, at any one time there were at least four international cricket teams in the country along with several tourist ships, the buzz of activities were in no small measure. It was like a breath o fresh air to witness the jelling of people in the stadium from all over the world.
Cricket is the world’s third greatest event after Football and Olympics and some casualties would be expected during and after the event. The Pakistani Coach had not the time to resign before his death.
Other Coaches, like of the West Indies, England and Indian teams as well as some players fell by the wayside. This was unlike the Australian fast bowler, Glen Mc Grath and the Sri Lankan Coach Tom Moody who saw his team through to the finals. These two felt that they had served the games well in their capacities and were moving on to other things.
The politicians always reminded Grenadians that CWC 2007 is not about politics or party, and quite rightly so. Even when some constructive criticisms were coming from opposition sources to the best interest of all Grenada, these criticisms were shot down by timidity. It was therefore in poor taste, disgusting but not surprising, that politics and party took to the Progress Park to celebrate Grenada’s successful hosting of the Cricket World Cup 2007.
All too soon, Grenada’s successful hosting of Cricket World Cup had degenerated into political ‘greens’. It cannot be denied that the government took the initiative and the Chinese worked tirelessly in pursuit of the goal; for this they must be highly complemented. If that were a Grenadian enterprise why should one colour claim all the victories?
