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(Part 34.) Because we forgot.
As this 50th anniversary series approaches the actual days of competition at the 1975 World Cup, a question from the latest interviewee prompted today’s piece, which focuses inwards on our general attitude towards history—and, in this specific case, an historic sporting occasion that can serve as an inspiration beyond the confines of cricket.
Photo: CWI.
On concluding my interview with Jeff Charles, the Dominican national now living in the United States who was part of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union radio commentary team for that inaugural men’s international tournament, he asked what prompted me to do this 50-day countdown.
Maybe I was reading him wrong, but the manner of his query suggested that most Caribbean people he is interacting with either know little or nothing about the 1975 World Cup.
And worse, people don’t seem to care to know anything about that period of significant West Indies cricketing history, even when presented with opportunities to enlighten themselves.
(Copyright Associated Press.)
My response to his query was that I just felt something had to be done—via the considerable cooperation and assistance of Lasana Liburd and this website—to present some sort of meaningful tribute to mark the golden anniversary.
Even if it attracts only a few readers over the seven-plus weeks of daily contributions, at least it would be there for some time to come. It can serve as a point of reference, to be critiqued by those who may actually disagree with the information and perspectives presented.
There is no clearer example of the disregard for one of the most significant moments in West Indies cricket history than the attitude of, ironically, Cricket West Indies to the approaching anniversary.
Yes, they have tied in a tribute to the 1975 squad to the annual CWI/West Indies Players Association gala event in Barbados on 22 June, the day after the 50th anniversary of the final.
(via CWI Media.)
Apparently, there will also be some sort of recognition as well on the opening day of the first Test of the three-match series against Australia on 25 June at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
However, this all comes across as a half-hearted effort. Surely something meaningful could have been arranged (maybe a celebratory Golden Anniversary ODI between West Indies and Australia on 21 June) with proper planning and a concerted effort.
But taken in the wider context of CWI’s attitude to West Indies cricket history—to describe the archival material on West Indies cricketers on their website as a joke is being kind—this indifference should not be surprising.
(via Indian Expresss.)
With 17 days to go to the 50th anniversary of that glorious day at Lord’s, others are chiming in and expressing their own dismay that such a landmark occasion is being offered scant recognition.
Writing in the St Vincent Times on 1 June, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves was scathing in his condemnation of the regional cricket administration on this matter:
“Three weeks or so ago, I spoke and wrote about the 60th anniversary of the 1965 victory (in the Test series vs Australia in the Caribbean) and its significance, then and now. CWI has remained comatose, unresponsive. And they are sleep-walking through the 50th anniversary of the 1975 triumph.
Photo: CWI Media.
“Perhaps CWI’s leadership has no sense of our cricket history and its existential importance to our current cricketing condition and our cricketing future. Or perhaps, CWI is too busy chasing after ephemeral passport-selling money or gingering up support across some countries in the region for the illusory pot of gold from the dangerous, addictive video slot machines of gamblers.
“Or maybe they are too pre-occupied with dreaming in India in a further marginalisation of West Indies cricket, show-boating without substance, for our players and our cricket.
“Or CWI is just plain lazy, lacking in creative ideas as to the way forward, most assured about that which they are most ignorant; insufferable men, pompous to the core, dressed in their brief authority, who play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as to make angels weep.”
Now, it has to be noted here that the CWI President, Dr Kishore Shallow, a Vincentian national, is a political opponent of PM Gonsalves. And with a general election due in SVG towards the end of the year, the venom in the perspective just presented is probably influenced by the immediacy of political opportunism.
Yet even if this occasion were to pass us by without proper official recognition, as seems inevitable, we are actually now entering a period where the notable anniversaries will be coming thick and fast.
This presents those who see value in such acknowledgement with several opportunities to latch onto the shirt-tails of history and maybe inspire the next generation to appreciate what West Indies cricket has achieved.
(via SkySports.)
For those who recall, the West Indies successfully defended their World Cup title in 1979, so 23 June, 2029 presents another momentous golden anniversary.
Exactly one year before that event though comes the really big one: the centenary of the West Indies in Test cricket.
For it was on 23 June 1928 that Karl Nunes led the Caribbean side onto the field at Lord’s for their first-ever Test match against England.
Will anything beyond the half-hearted and superficial be planned for 23 June, 2028? Let’s wait and see.
In the meantime, this series chugs along—playing a role, however small, in keeping the embers of our glorious West Indies cricketing history still aglow.
Photo: Rexscanpix/ Daily Mail.
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Fazeer Mohammed is a journalist/broadcaster with almost 40 years’ experience across a range of media.
His interest in cricket, and particularly its history, started at home via his father’s small collection of autobiographies and magazines, offering perspectives and context which have informed his commentary and analysis on contemporary issues in the game.
“Now, it has to be noted here that the CWI President, Dr Kishore Shallow, a Vincentian national, is a political opponent of PM Gonsalves. And with a general election due in SVG towards the end of the year, the venom in the perspective just presented is probably influenced by the immediacy of political opportunism.”
Dr Gonzalves does not take aim merely at Dr Shallow, Fazeer, does he? Have you been following the cricket news in Trinidad? The Sunday Guardian sports pages offer us a story by Joshua Seemungal which leads one to think that St Vincent and the Grenadines is not the only country where national cricketing matters need urgent attention.
Would you be concerned about marking the anniversary of some 50-year-old occasion if you had such serious pressing matters on your plate?