Political Bad-Mouthing in Trinidad and Tobago Sullies Opening of Stadium Named for Cricketer <PERSON> · Global Voices
<PERSON> at the Lord's Bicentenary Anniversary Match, June 22, 2014. Photo by <PERSON>, CC BY 2.0.
In international cricketing circles, <PERSON> is a rock star. Deemed one of the greatest batsmen of all time, he is practically like royalty in Trinidad and Tobago, the land of his birth. But his name (and the fact that he lent it to the country's new stadium in south Trinidad) has been something of a political football ever since the controversial stadium — the construction of which was mired in allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement by previous governments — was finally opened under the People's National Movement (PNM) administration.
There was heated online debate about whether the stadium itself should have been a priority for the current government, especially in trying economic times. In the public Facebook group New Politics, <PERSON> asked:
CAN <PERSON> ENRICH THE LIVES OF T&T PEOPLE? IT'S AN ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
<PERSON> responded:
wonder if the multi billion $ stadium came with ultrasound dept, mt. hope patients could go there
Mount Hope is a public hospital that has had its share of controversy; the country's public health system often falls short of the demands made on it. Opposition senator <PERSON> also pushed the stadium versus health care angle of the narrative, quoting from a newspaper report about protests regarding the government's decision to open the stadium while the nearby children's hospital, built under her party's tenure, remained closed.
Facebook user <PERSON> added:
“I wonder how <PERSON> felt passing the brand new CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL closed on his way to open the Shed of Shame?”
While members of the country's opposition party (and other politically aligned Facebook groups) downplayed the numbers in attendance at the stadium's opening, several Facebook users posted photographic evidence that the stands were full.
When <PERSON> himself spoke out, explaining that he felt “embarrassed and disappointed” over misconceptions surrounding the stadium, <PERSON>, commenting on the UNC's Facebook page, said, “Yes <PERSON>…. sing for your supper!”
Upon reading similar comments, Facebook user <PERSON> suggested, tongue firmly in cheek, that “maybe the first match at the Stadium should have been Indians vs Africans.” Trinidad and Tobago is, for the most part, politically divided along ethnic lines, with the opposition United National Congress‘ (UNC) support base being primarily Indian and the PNM's being largely black. 957
<PERSON> and his sporting accomplishments always seemed to transcend race, however — until the stadium came into play.
<PERSON> retorted:
Imagine. the PP [coalition People's Partnership government, of which the UNC was a part] had completed the BLCA [<PERSON> Cricket Academy] and is today opening it. now imagine <PERSON> walking onto the field to greet <PERSON> [former prime minister].
now, Imagine what the PNM party hacks would have said about <PERSON>.
Meanwhile, on the CCN TV6 Facebook page, <PERSON> played devil's advocate:
As I recall the story. One day <PERSON> [former prime minister and leader of the PNM] asked <PERSON> how could Trinidad and Tobago get a 1000 <PERSON>. <PERSON> explained to him that he was just fortunate to have the Cricket talent that he has. But most importantly, he told Mr <PERSON> that all over the world where he had played cricket, some countries have a cricket Academy where they teach young potential players the rudimentaries of the game of cricket.
Young players will live in the Brian Lara Academy where they will train, lift weights, be trained in proper dieting, have the benefit of psychologists, have their bowling and batting actions filmed, analyzed, and improvements in techniques will be worked on.
Sports is not a hit and miss guessing game again. Sports is big business.
So here is my question to you Mr and Mrs <PERSON>.
In 2020, your young son has been observed and chosen as a candidate to enter the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Scouts from all around the world done start comparing the little boy from Barrackpore as the next <PERSON>.
Cricket is his passion and he is a boss student at Naparima.
Would you allow him to attend the Brian Lara Cricket Academy? 892