Dear Editor: Good knock, Jumbo; QPCC and TTFA should honour him


“[…] Perhaps, Cricket West Indies (CWI), Queen’s Park Oval and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) can name something, somewhere on either facility to keep his presence alive.

“Not saying we should build a statue or rename a stand but [maybe] something small such as a cafeteria or a food and beverage section at either facility…”

Keith “Jumbo” Martin stands at attention before Trinidad and Tobago’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal clash with USA at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 20 November 2023.
The Soca Warriors won 2-1.
Photo: TTFA

The following Letter to the Editor, which pays tribute to popular late nutsman Keith “Jumbo” Martin, was submitted to Wired868 by Kendell Karan of Chaguanas:

I am still in my twenties, but as long as I have been attending cricket matches across formats at the Queen’s Park Oval, I’ve known Jumbo, the nuts man.

It’s a sad day for the cricket community because despite the bipolar nature of the West Indies, he remained our local mascot.

The partnership between him and Sunil Gavaskar is now broken. I understand he once sang the chorus of Lord Relator’s calypso “It was Gavaskar” to the India cricket star at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Iconic India cricket star Sunil Gavaskar.

I am aware that Gavaskar was one of his favourite cricketers from his time and rightfully so. I urge Trinbagonian commentators such as Ian Bishop and Daren Ganga, during the upcoming IPL, to notify Sunil Gavaskar of his passing so he can take the time to grieve before his next visit.

Jumbo could’ve played for the West Indies, maybe as a bowler—he had a really good arm for obvious reasons. I didn’t know he was present at national football matches at Hasely Crawford Stadium as well; he would’ve made a great goalkeeper.

Perhaps, Cricket West Indies (CWI), Queen’s Park Oval and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) can name something, somewhere on either facility to keep his presence alive.

Not saying we should build a statue or rename a stand but [maybe] something small such as a cafeteria or a food and beverage section at either facility.

Thanks for the nuts, Jumbo. Condolences to his family friends and loved ones, rest in peace, you will be missed dearly.

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