Fifteen years after a careless driver mowed down the sign that honored and reflected the contribution of one of the greatest to play the game of cricket, a collective effort between the Mayor and City Council, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Top Brandz has made it possible for the sign be once again erected.
Two signs that signal the beginning and end of the drive which sees road users exiting the Kitty Roundabout heading east along the seawall will notice a huge sign that depicts not only the street name but some of the statistics of the living legend as the symbols of respect were unveiled at a simple ceremony yesterday.
Speaking at the auspicious occasion was former West Indies Under-15 fast bowler Qumar Torrington who blessed the event by leading off in a prayer before Reginald Brotherson AA addressed the event in its entirety.
Brotherson said that the event was scheduled to be a reality six years ago which marked the centenary year for DCC, the club where Lloyd represented and developed into the West Indies legend he was to become.
Brotherson went into depth of the nature of the club’s title, “The Home of Legends,” stating the number of players who graced the sport with their efforts while wishing for the youths to become more proactive in sports.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene, who is an avid follower of the sport, reminisced on the time Lloyd returned from a successful run in the 1975 World Cup.
“I remember as a young girl when we lined the streets to welcome this hero who had won the World Cup for the West Indies like it was yesterday,” she recalled.
President of DCC, Roger Harper pointed out a few facts that a lot of persons would not know of the two-time World Cup winning captain including this year as a significant moment which marked 50 years since Lloyd first played for the West Indies.
Ministry of Public Infrastructure representative, Patrick Thompson, spoke of the leadership that ran through Lloyd and every Guyanese’s blood while hinting to a possible renaming of the entire roundabout to the Clive Lloyd Roundabout
Lloyd, now 73 years old, became the first man to play 100 tests for the West Indies. He played 110 matches in all with a highest score of 242 not out but it was his record as captain that stood out.
The left handed batsman captained West Indies in 74 test matches winning 14 series while losing two as he transformed West Indies into the greatest sporting dynasty for 15 years.
Since ending his career as a player, Lloyd has functioned as a coach, manager, match referee, Cricket West Indies Chairman of Selector and mentor to many.
