Dear Editor,
Perhaps Usain Bolt will never head the Jamaica Athletics Association or Carl Lewis the American equivalent or Pete Sampras the Tennis Federation, yet they are great, celebrated athletes as is the legendary Clive Hubert Lloyd in cricket. The West Indies’ most successful captain, however, has committed himself beyond the cricket field ever since retiring his flashing willow, and has established a new role as an innovative administrator. His exemplary roles as ICC match referee and Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee are important functions that would have further enhanced his status as one of the finest leaders the Caribbean has ever produced. He is a true patriot and his intention now to run for the presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) should be embraced with assurance.
I was pleased to learn unofficially that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will nominate Mr Lloyd for the post, a further stamp of approval in recognising him despite the continuing impasse surrounding the administration of cricket in Guyana. It is my conviction also that the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) will also endorse the iconic Lloyd instead of the current President Dr Julian Hunte or Vice-President Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, both proven individuals, but who have achieved little success for West Indies cricket generally. While I do not subscribe to the notion that great athletes will also be successful in administering the game they once dominated on the field, I will always recognise someone with dual skills.
It is no coincidence then that former West Indies fast-bowling giant Andy Roberts is voicing his support for Clive Lloyd since he possesses those qualities that would have led him from being a shrewd captain to a global ambassador and a current advisor to the Government of Guyana. Such qualities are rare and therefore every opportunity must be seized to ensure that Clive Lloyd becomes the new president of the WICB, so that the fortunes of the West Indies team languishing at seventh in the Test rankings can be redeemed, given the talent of the current generation of players including Gayle, Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Samuels, Narine, Sarwan and even exciting future prospects Ransford Beaton and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, among others.
It is an opportune time therefore for Clive Lloyd to launch another successful career, this time at the helm of the West Indies Cricket Board, whose elections are due on March 21.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
