Dear Editor,
Suriname’s President is currently the Chairman of Caricom and incidentally heads the sub-committee on cricket in the region. Ironically, however, Suriname does not participate in cricket organized by the West Indies Cricket Board.
Instead the country is independently associated with the International Cricket Council as an associate member, and relies on sparse global tournaments for any meaningful engagements.
Given the influx of Guyanese players to the country as well as others from several Caribbean countries whose contribution has led to the popularization of the game beyond fête matches, it is an opportune time for the country to be given equal status in participating in regional tournaments.
While the game struggles to compete with other popular sports such as football, basketball and cycling, I believe the thrill that cricket will bring along with the flair of Darren Bravo or the sublime touch of Ramnaresh Sarwan will entice the Surinamese to follow the game with much more interest and joy. Our local players will also get an opportunity to exhibit their skill at a higher level, since I know of several Essequibians who are excelling and are in the national team. Globalization has been preached in relation to economic stability and prosperity, but it should also be a catalyst for sporting empowerment, particularly in the case of the smaller states such as those in the Caribbean, and therefore Suriname’s integration should include sports such as cricket.
I therefore hope that with the expected intervention of Suriname President Desi Bouterse, who will be involved in finding a solution to the current state of affairs with the Guyana Cricket Board and the government-installed Interim Management Committee, the cause for Suriname to be a participant in cricket within the Caribbean will be championed.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
