IN A time when regional cricket stutters and fumbles from a lack of quality, general all-round belief, and a sharp decline in interest from the young, the game needs a hero.
Sadly, based on recent events and utterances, it seems a sad and likely possibility that all we have available are mercenaries.
Calls, emails and questions have constantly flooded in about this week's Carib Beer Series and I smiled, thinking to myself, it's a shame to abuse children, animals and sports fans because they forgive you for almost anything.
I remember just weeks ago we were all told unapologetically (if one has been made I haven't heard it) by Jamaica and West Indies captain Chris Gayle that we fans should not be worried about Jamaica losing to Trinidad in the final of the Stanford 20/20 because the team had already made US$500,000.
Shocking statement
The statement was shocking, absolutely shocking. Corrupt politicians, drug dealers and thieves all make tons of money too but we don't idolise them and we certainly don't want our kids looking up to them. Although, I suppose, in the light of recent performances, which have seen many of us leave stadiums feeling cheated with broken hearts and an empty wallets, maybe we might as well.
The role of a hero in sports seems to be something that has been missed out on by almost an entire generation of our regional athletes.
When Joe Louis stood in the boxing ring to face Max Schmeling in the 1938 rematch or Muhammad Ali fought in the 1970s, millions of African Americans crowded around their radios to listen in.
The event was about more than just the sport for the fan, the athlete was a symbol of racial and regional pride, a reason to stand tall.
Things were the same for the Caribbean when George Headley or famed captain Clive Lloyd stood at the crease. But, let's not fool ourselves, professional sport has changed and millions of dollars are now at stake in the modern game.
Playing for pride
In a globalised world, it is not as simple as playing for pride and nationalism and athletes cannot be expected to ignore money. However, flaunting riches with a care-free attitude in front of your fans as a designated leader is not only irresponsible and alarming but purely illogical.
Since someone has obviously failed to do the calculations, let me explain.
Allen Stanford, the founder of the Stanford 20/20 cricket tournament, is a billionaire, however, he isn't simply giving away free money. Like any businessman, he hopes to eventually make a profit.
This will come from ticket sales and, of course, advertising. Both those things, Mr Gayle, target the silly little people jumping in the stands or at the airport, the ones turning on their television sets and tuning in on the radio.
I can bet that were it not for such a huge potential market, Stanford may just have chosen to invest elsewhere. Many have made the excuse that Gayle is just young, I'm not buying it.
At 23, NBA star LeBron James makes US$5.8 million per year and has a seven-year shoe deal with Nike worth more than US$90 million.
All that certainly comes up to more than US$500,000, yet can you imagine him saying to Cleveland fans after last year's sweep by the Spurs in the play-offs, "you can be angry all you want, I'm well paid"?
The issue comes down to respect and responsibility. Fans are often overzealous and are wrong in many instances, but you would expect that an athlete, especially one chosen as a leader, would understand players' importance to the sport.
kwesi.mugisa@gleanerjm.com
