RED CARPET TREATMENT FOR A TEST HERO By Robertson Henry
Darren (2nd from left) being escorted to the VIP Lounge by Acting Prime Minister (far left), Darren’s mother and son, and Digicel Saint Lucia Country Manger Keigan Cox (far right)
VIEUX-FORT, Saint Lucia; Friday August 25th 2007 – Darren Sammy, Saint
Lucia’s first male test cricketer; in fact the first Saint Lucian to don the maroon
colours, returned home at 1:20 p.m. to a hero’s welcome at the Hewanorra
International Airport in Vieux-Fort in the island’s south.
Arriving from England where he had been engaged in county cricket since the
end of the 2007 Npower Test and NatWest One Day International Series
between England and the West Indies, Sammy was literally mobbed on arrival by
well-wishers.
In the welcoming party was Saint Lucia’s Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King,
Education Minister Arsene James, President of the Saint Lucia National Cricket
Association Bryan Calixte, Country Manager for Digicel Saint Lucia Keigan Cox,
Darren’s parents, Sir Garfield Sobers, CEO of Cricket World Cup (Saint Lucia) Inc.,
Ernest Hilaire, along with many officials from numerous private and public sector
organizations along with the island’s media.
Darren holds his young son for the first time in many months, while Darren’s mother looks on
Not only was Darren being feted as the island’s first Test cricketer, but the
manner of announcing his arrival. Following his one match sojourn in the 2004
Champions Trophy against Bangladesh in which he took three stunning catches
and one wicket, and to many his surprise omission from the West Indies 2007
Cricket World Cup squad.
However that did not deter the 20-yesr-old who implement a rigorous training
regime with WICB certified cricket coach Emmanuel Bellas in preparation for any
future engagements.
Though he was surprisingly ommitted from the first Npower Test, Sammy
stunning second inning figures of 7 for 66; the best debut figures by any West
Indian in decades raised questions as to why he was not selected in the first
place.
However injury according to word out of the West Indian camp ruled him out of
the remainder for the series, and though to many he performed creditably in the
Twenty20 Internationals, was not selected for the NatWest One Day
International matches.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Acting Prime Minister King stated, “It is not
really not often that Saint Lucians are given the opportunity to come together
and celebrate with pride and dignity performances such as Darren.”
The Saint Lucia Government Leader also spoke of the many attempts in the past
by Saint Lucian cricketers who knocked on the door of West Indies cricket but the
portal was never opened to them by those who controlled the doors to West
Indies cricket.
Amongst those of recent vintage include Ignatius Cadette, Martial Francis, John
Eugene, and Julian Charles.
In recognizing the young cricketer’s achievement, King said that “one such
honour that should be placed on him is that of Honourary Ambassador.”
This is to enable him to promote sports in Saint Lucia and around the world, and
very soon Saint Lucians expect that issue to the ratified by the Saint Lucia
Cabinet of Ministers.
However Sammy has been given a new mission by the island’s Government.
“Your job now is not to knock the door and hope that the ears that will hear will
hear and open the door. But to go in and continue to work hard to maintain your
position in that house for which so many have attempted to enter.”
Digicel Saint Lucia Country Manager Keigan Cox expressed his pleasure with the
performances of Sammy to date, and the renewed faith he have given the
island’s cricketers in themselves and their abilities.
He spoke of the pride that island’s residents are feeling with the exploits of “one
of our foremost ambassadors and national inspiration, Darren.”
According to Cox, “Darren has brought pride to this nation, and have shown us
collectively what our young people are capable of achieving if we provide them
with the encouragement and opportunity.”
He recognised Darren’s Test performances as being the catalyst for a new sports
culture amongst the island’s people, and the role Digicel have played not only in
sports development in Saint Lucia, but in the Caribbean.
“Indeed Digicel is proud to be associated with West Indies cricket, the game of
the people of the Caribbean,” Cox further stated.
Darren who is part of the Digicel family has only a few days to catch up with
friends and family before joining the rest of the West Indies squad for the first
ever ICC Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.
Also showering praise on the young all-rounder was his mentor Bryan Calixte,
and Ernest Hilaire who ensured he got to England, which Darren admitted
changed his life.
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