Was Sammy right to say that Stanford played a huge role in regenerating cricket?

Nov 03, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, made a controversial statement on BBC Radio 5 when he said “Stanford played a huge role in regenerating cricket on the (Caribbean) islands” and stressed that the impact he had on West Indies cricket can never be forgotten.
Hundreds no doubt agree with the West Indies captain, because his comments seem to be in order, because the Texan former billionaire spent large sums of money to improve the summer game in the region. As Sammy said “his tournament in the Caribbean did wonders, and guys like Kieron Pollard and Andrew Fletcher came through”.
Sammy commented on Stanford’s insight and the time and effort spent in preparation for the Super Series in Antigua four years ago. He also stated that Stanford’s absence has left a financial void in West Indies cricket, but made it clear that the future of the game in the Caribbean is healthy.
Stanford had given financial contributions totalling millions of dollars to 22 countries from Bermuda to Guyana to improve grounds, pavilions and other facilities for several years, but his generosity came to an abrupt end in 2008 when allegations of massive fraud surfaced and he was later arrested, tried, convicted and jailed for 110 years. There is no doubt that the standard of the former billionaire was extremely high and he ensured that the upcoming cricketers were well trained. It was not only that the cricketers benefitted from his generosity, but also the so-called West Indies legends who were members of his Board of Directors: Andy Roberts, Sir Garfield Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Wesley Hall, Lance Gibbs, Sir Viv Richards, Richie Richardson, Clive Lloyd, Ian Bishop, Courtney Walsh, Sir Everton Weekes, Curtly Ambrose, and Joel Garner.
It was reported that the legends were paid a salary of US$10,000 per month until the dissolution of the Board in December 2008. Antigua and Bermuda benefitted tremendously from Stanford since he employed hundreds in his airline, newspaper, bank, etc. He also built his own cricket ground “Sticky Wicket” and a lavish restaurant, near to the VC Bird International Airport.
However former Windies pacer Jamaican Michael Holding feels that Stanford was a farce from the beginning. In his autobiography “No Holding Back” the former speedster now commentator said “Stanford’s primary move was not to improve the state of West Indies cricket, but mainly to boost his own ego, his own companies and eventually his own bank balance.
Holding added that not only did Stanford take the English and West Indies Board for a ride, but he also managed to “deceive the world”. He also stated that the Texan was arrogant and aggressive to the end since he told the judge after his conviction that “I’m not here to ask for sympathy and forgiveness”.
I have no doubt that the majority of cricket fans in the region and the world over are in agreement with Holding.
Oscar Ramjeet

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Was Sammy right to say that Stanford played a huge role in regenerating cricket?

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