The World Cup Cricket is around the bend and along with it the fever and hype-up in anticipation of the excitement and other lucrative gains.
And in preparation of this grand “once in a lifetime” event we are being admonished, beseeched and schooled on proper behaviour and good manners, on how to conduct ourselves when the foreigners arrive. That we should endeavour to be at our best, not to soil the image of our country and maintain that distinctive trademark that we are so renowned for- our hospitality.
But I somehow get the impression from the obsession with this super event as if this is the “last train to Gunhill”, rather than the blossoming of a tree, and if we don’t catch this train, we are eternally doomed. Thus we are expected to become new born creatures for this occasion. The kind of conduct that must be exercised at the Stadium may very well disqualify many of us locals from entry. The dress code I’m told is kind of formal; no three quarter pants, no armless, maybe no sandals, maybe only long-sleeved shirts. Be disciplined – sit upright, don’t be too “common” and bawl out six runs! Not to mention the cost to enter.
Well well, I’ve seen a number of World Sporting events at various stadiums around the world with the mode of dress by spectators ranging from three piece suits to semi-nude, the human body being transferred into various picturesque forms by painting, and neither game nor visitors/tourists suffered in any way whatsoever. If this is how it is going to be as I’m told, then what will be left of this game that we love so much? This will be taking the wind out of the sail if we will not be permitted to shout “hammer deh backside”, “alright, Shuv another one like that up in he”. While we welcome the tourists with open arms, and need to project the positives, we need not fall on our swords over their invasion, just remember that they are not coming here expecting to find it like their homes and would be very much delighted to discover a new experience. We should even arrange a few games of one tip, two tip cricket for them.
The things I hear we must submit to according to the glorious sunset legislation: CWC can file an injunction blocking certain imports, astronomical fines and possibly jail term for breach, GRA must be prepared to comply whenever called upon by CWC authorities, space relinquished, what must not be sold, what must be advertised during this period, which according to some renders us temporarily toothless. We can only hope that at the end of it all, we find the sum not setting but rather perched above the horizon keeping our hopes and dreams alive.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe