West Indies Cricket Belongs to the People of the Region …PM Golding

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, says that if the West Indies is to reclaim the glory and dominance it once had in cricket, the minimalist, incremental approach, is not going to work. He said there should be no ambiguity, that West Indies cricket does not belong to any one group, but to the people of the region.
“It is part of what defines us as a people, separated as we are by the waters of the Caribbean Sea but inseparably joined by the common history in which cricket has been indelibly stamped. Those of us who are privileged to take decisions and to do things affecting the performance of West Indies cricket, must be mindful that we are trustees of a proud legacy and our duty is to ensure that our children and their grandchildren can experience the joy and glory that we once knew and now only reminisce about”, he said.
Mr. Golding was addressing the Jamaica Cricket Association and the West Indies Cricket Board’s Honours and Awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston last night (Feb 2). The function paid tribute to four of the great West Indian cricketers – George Headley, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Garfield Sobers and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who also holds the title of ‘Cricketer of the year 2008’.
Mr. Golding said pride, joy and glory must be restored to West Indies cricket, as the legacy that we have a duty to pass on to future generations.
Mr. Golding said the four persons honoured last night for the contributions have done their part. “They have put into our hands a powerful strong part of our history and heritage. It is our job to preserve it and to rebuild it. We have to ensure that their contribution does not become a footnote in history but part of a rich tradition that is the character of the West Indian people”.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, Sir Everton Weekes expressed appreciation to the West Indies Cricket Board and the Jamaica Cricket Association for honouring and remembering them. Sir Everton made his test debut for the West Indies against England at Kensington Oval in 1948 at the age of 22. He was knighted by the Queen in 1995.