Rally round the West Indies
Culture Box
Stabroek News
March 17, 2007
We heard the drums; we saw the dances; we heard the singing all of which combined to usher in the biggest sporting event in Guyana: Cricket World Cup!
Yes! The games have begun. And what a beginning it was, at least for us West Indians (WI), we trounced Pakistan. I am sure it was not the ideal start for that country but as the saying goes, "Who cares?", certainly not us on this side of the world.
We just hope that the performance by the WI team was just a taste of bigger and better things to come. But knowing the team we love, we are sure that there will be nail biting and anxious moments to come during the tournament all caused by this team's performance.
But it is cricket all the way and we know that Caribbean people are going to have fun regardless.
But we have made an observation that we just cannot keep to ourselves.
Last year at World Cup Football, Trinidad's team was not expected to go past the first round, and it did not surprise, heading home after the first rung, after what could be considered an impressive showing. However, even though the Caribbean people, more so Guyana, had no team in that tournament that had any hope of doing anything, it was a big thing. Football was the talk of the country, everyone was an expert and you did not have to guess what teams persons were supporting as they wore jerseys with the team's names emblazoned on them.
It was, to borrow from Adrian Dutchin: "One dam big celebration."
Not so now with cricket. Oh how disappointing! And the game is supposed to be one that unites the Caribbean. The tournament is being held right here in our own backyards yet the electrifying excitement that was felt throughout last year's football tournament is missing.
Imagine, we have a team in this tournament that can very well win the cup, at least we hope so. We have Guyanese in that team, and yet the excitement is lacking. There was not even much talk on the streets on Tuesday after WI trounced Pakistan, but then again maybe the WI has shocked people into silence.
But seriously, we have not seen anyone wearing WI jerseys or any of the teams' jerseys. We are not sure if this is because the tournament is still in its early stages or if people are waiting until games are being played in Guyana before they get into the spirit. If so, it is a shame. No football matches were played in the Caribbean, much less on home soil but the excitement was there.
Being ardent cricket fans ourselves, we are sorely disappointed. We have been looking forward to this event for a very long time.
It is our wish that by the end of the tournament, whether the WI wins (Oh what a glorious day that would be!) or not, that the excitement would be at fever pitch.
So bring it on boys. We hope you get to keep the trophy. We will rally around you and enjoy the biggest sporting event ever to be held in the Caribbean, and the third largest in the world.
Good luck WI! Make us proud. thescene@stabroeknews.com