Sports Minister Ramsaran backs the WICB (5 November 1998)

5 November 1998

Sports Minister Ramsaran backs the WICB

The Trinidad Express

The Honourable Minister of Sports Manohar Ramsaran yesterday backed the West Indies Cricket Board's decision to sack West Indies team captain and vice-captain Brian Lara and Carl Hooper respectively.

Both were relieved of their posts for the tour of South Africa for disobeying a directive from the WICB to proceed directly to South Africa.

Instead of going on to Johannesburg as directed, Lara and Hooper travelled to London with a view to negotiating with the WICB about wages for the South Africa tour.

Ramsaran told CCN that the decision by the pair was "blackmail" and a poor example to "younger sportsmen and even the countries of the West Indies".

"Despite the personalities involved," Ramsaran said. "I think the board made the right decision... I think that a message must be sent. We must understand who we are and when we have our talents we must use it intelligently.

"... The West Indies Cricket Board should be congratulated for being so strict on this issue."

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)