Trinidadian recommends ‘Shiv’ for Order of Caricom

Saturday, September 13, 2008

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Former Trinidad and Tobago Sports Minister Manohar Ramsaran wants the Order of Caricom bestowed on West Indies Shivnarine Chanderpaul for his sterling contribution to the region. The call comes following Chanderpaul’s achievement this week of being named the International Cricket Council’s Cricketer of the Year at their awards in Dubai.

“All the talk and jet-riding about Caribbean integration and political union are not important as bestowing this honour on him and, who has now become the emblem and the new architect for any Caribbean integration movement,” Ramsaran said.

“Chanderpaul has done it both in and out of the fields that he is a master batsman, a cricketing icon and his posture enhances the mysticism of the game of cricket. He is a teacher and leader in this field of endeavour.”

He said he believed the Trinidad & Tobago government needed to take the lead in honouring him with the, “Order of the Republic of T&T if it is serious about the integration movement.”

“We well remember what Chanderpaul did to foist Brian Lara as the world’s greatest batsman in 1994. In 2008, some 14 years later, Chanderpaul makes world news as an international cricketer,” Ramsaran added.

During the voting period, Chanderpaul played eight Tests, and scored 819 runs at a terrific average of 91, inclusive of three centuries and six fifties, all of which were against the top seven teams in the world.

Chanderpaul also played in 13 One-Day Internationals, netting an average of 74.75 with a total of 598 runs, and one century and five fifties.

Ramsaran feels that the Caricom Secretariat needed to begin the process of honouring Chanderpaul.

“Let our Caribbean governments demonstrate statesmanship with this recognition,” he added.

Source: Jamaica Observer