By Zoisa Fraser with photos by Jules Gibson
Should Shivnarine Chanderpaul have been allowed to leave midway through Guyana’s Carib Beer Cup match against the Windward Islands to collect his awards in Trinidad? We asked several persons this question and this is what they had to say:
Lennox Lewis, mason – `That was not right. That sort of behaviour showed that he wasn’t committed to the game. He should have just let his name be called at the ceremony and then collect his awards later. I think that Chanderpaul should have at least paid a fine for his behaviour. He is showing the others in the team that they too can do as they like – just leave in the middle of a game and then come back and that would be okay with management and cricket fans. As a senior West Indies player, he should have known better and set an example for the younger ones.’
Michael Edwards, self-employed – `He should have acted more responsibly and be more committed to the game especially with the high score he had. His action casts a bad reflection on the team because it clearly shows a lack of self-discipline. He should be given a severe warning for his actions. His behaviour will reflect badly on the younger ones in the team seeing that he is a senior West Indies player. I believe that if the junior players had done something like this, they would have been penalised. It could be that Chanderpaul was confident that he would have made it back in time to play. It could be that he suffered a delay with his flight.’
Alex Smith, carpenter – `It should not have been allowed because it is a sport and you have to respect it. He should have just allowed his name to be mentioned and then collect the awards later. He would have never left a West Indies cricket match to go anywhere to collect anything. But because this was a low-level match, he felt that he could have done whatever he felt like. He already knows that he is a senior player and I think that it is because of this that he feels that he can do anything and get away with it. He is setting a bad example for the younger players and the local cricket board should intervene in this matter. Chetram Singh (president of the Guyana Cricket Board) would have known in advance about the awards and as such Chanderpaul should have been asked whether or not he was attending and based on his response it should have been decided if he would have been allowed to play.’
Rebecca Sookhdeo, housewife – `He should have stayed on but instead he went to collect something. A personal commitment should not have been put before a game. He should have made a commitment to the game and collect his awards later. However, I think that he probably thought that he could have made it back in time. I think he should just be spoken to about his actions. They would have known in advance that he had to go to the awards ceremony so they should have put systems in place to accommodate him. I guess that was just something that he felt he needed to do. A big deal should not be made about it.’
Angelica Persaud, housewife – `That was not right. If he is committed to the game and his team then he should have stayed. He always gets awards and this occasion should not have been his first priority. If he was indeed given permission to attend the ceremony then everybody concerned with the match should have been notified. His behaviour is a bad example for the younger ones who look up to him. He probably believed that he could have made it back in time for the start of play on following day. Knowing what goes on with flights though, he should not have taken the chance. If he was absolutely certain that he would have been back in time only then should he have gone. In spite of this, he is still my favorite player; people sometimes make bad decisions and we in turn conclude wrong things.’
Donna Sookhdeo, UG student – `He has been getting awards in Guyana every year and his son has been collecting them on his behalf. In the case of Trinidad someone could have gone there and collected them for him. His behaviour was bad discipline but he should not be punished for it because he is a good cricketer and the favourite for most Guyanese. His behaviour is a bad example for the younger players in the team and those who look up to him. They would have known in advance when the award ceremony was going to be held so everyone concerned with the game should have been informed.’
Andre Brandt, teacher – `Given the state of the match, he probably could have stayed and ask someone to uplift the awards on his behalf and put his team first. He was not out so he could have stayed and give his team more runs. I think he should have been warned for his behaviour. It sets bad precedents for the other players. They will look on and see it as he got away with it and I can too.’
Keith Massay, public sector employee – `He said that he told Singh, who in turn told management but they apparently did not inform the officials. I think something like this [what Chanderpaul did] should not happen at all because that could affect the team in a negative way. I think he should be given a warning. It was a bad example for the younger ones and it was a poor error of judgment on his behalf.’
Andrew Chance, self-employed – `Looking at the whole West Indies team, we don’t ever hear the first bell only the second. I can’t see him walking out during a game without consulting or communicating with his superiors. I think leaving in the middle of a game is inconsiderate. You have to consider the state of the game. I stopped looking at West Indies cricket because we always felt that it was the players who were at fault when it is in fact the board and the selectors. This sort of behaviour would not have happened in any other international cricket team. It just would not happen because those players get respect and are allowed to air their views. If West Indies spectators should openly come over this problem, it would be addressed correctly.’
Brian Chung, vendor – `Not good. It was very unprofessional. Drastic action should be taken against him. The Cricket Board should never grant permission to any player to leave in the middle of a game to fulfil a personal commitment. Players get too big for the game. I think that this is the belief of some of the players in the West Indies team. His behaviour was disgraceful and I believe that the cricket board should start suspending and even sacking players. Deduct money from their earnings and let them pay a fine. This sort of behaviour does not occur in other cricket teams because the cricket boards are strict.’
