Latest update March 25th, 2025 7:08 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Will the legal victory of Messrs Sarwan and Simmons usher in an era of public ignorance on WI team selection?

Sep 27, 2012 Letters

 

DEAR EDITOR,
In checking online for the recent whereabouts of English footballer Rio Ferdinand, I read that the former national player was dropped from the English squad over a year ago for what the coach publicly called “football reasons”. My thoughts immediately went to both the WICB/Sarwan and WICB/Simmons affairs.
If my understanding of the matter is correct, then one of the main reasons the players won their arbitration awards against the WICB was that public comments made by WICB officials on the reasons for their non-selection damaged, in Mr Sarwan’s submission, his  ”reputation as a professional cricketer” and “sullied his career as an international cricketer.” The WICB, you see, had questioned Mr Sarwan’s fitness and attitude.
The verdict against the WICB stirred no small measure of confusion in my mind. I had since hoped that more informed contributors to the letter column would have clarified matters.
But it seems that transparency and accountability, two of the things for which the WI cricket fans have continuously clamored over the decades, have now been hit over the fence and into the trench. No more, apparently, could a chief selector now calmly and candidly report at a press briefing on the reasons for the non-selection of players. Not only would the media hang on to his every word, but so too would a battery of lawyers.
If “fitness” and “attitude” are now legally taboo in official public explanations for a player’s non-selection, then a player may soon claim that statements about his “recurring injury”, “shot selection” or “vulnerability in English conditions” are equally detrimental to his reputation and employment prospects. Where will the slippery slope take us?
But what about the WI fans? The victory of Messrs Sarwan and Simmons could likely usher in an era of deep public ignorance and wild speculation with regards to WI team selection.
The fans could be the big losers in this saga.
The tension, however, between the public thirst to be informed and the selectors’ legal restraints on informing is bound to snap. The opposing forces cannot co-exist. No marks for predicting the winner.
Meanwhile, back in England, Mr Ferdinand, he who was dropped last year for football reasons, has announced he is now in full playing form and is eagerly awaiting a call from the national coach.
Sherwood Lowe

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Groups, schedule announced for One Guyana 3×3 Quest

Groups, schedule announced for One Guyana 3×3 Quest

Mar 25, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- With just 11 days to go before Guyana welcomes 16 nations for the largest 3×3 basketball event ever hosted in the English-speaking Caribbean, excitement is building. The Guyana...
Read More
2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Fixtures confirmed

2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League...

Mar 25, 2025

Virtual Meeting of Caribbean Boxing Promoters held, Guyana among six countries with interest

Virtual Meeting of Caribbean Boxing Promoters...

Mar 25, 2025

GBA AirBadminton Tournament spikes off with historic showing at St. Cuthbert’s Mission 

GBA AirBadminton Tournament spikes off with...

Mar 25, 2025

Briton John sets sights on another sweep with second leg win

Briton John sets sights on another sweep with...

Mar 25, 2025

Waramuri stuns Vreed-en-Hoop 7-1, as Bush Lot topple Ann’s Grove

Waramuri stuns Vreed-en-Hoop 7-1, as Bush Lot...

Mar 24, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]