Legends add to cash-strapped World Cup fans' woes

Need an autograph? Its US$ 20 dollars. A photograph? That will set you back $100.

Barbadian cricket legends are making fans, already paying hotel rates which have trebled during the World Cup, even angrier by charging for signing an autograph book or posing for pictures.

The Cricket Legends of Barbados group, which includes the likes of Sir Garry Sobers, Charlie Griffith, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, have been making public appearances trying to raise funds to help build a centre of excellence.

"It's disgusting. I have to pay $100 for a photograph with Sobers who I have had adored since my childhood," said Surbeet Singh, who has come from Manchester , England. Heartbroken over India's first round exit and having to watch a meaningless Ireland-Bangladesh match instead last week, Singh went to the Barbados Business Club looking to get Sobers' autograph. "I was amazed. The tour has already cost me over $15,000."

Journalists claim they have been asked to pay $1000 for an exclusive interview and little wonder Sobers was in the highest demand. Fans can also take a sunset cruise with the stars for $200.

"It was a different kind of heartbreak to see the greatest of the greats, Sir Garry Sobers, at 73, and well looked after by life and his achievements, asking for $100 for every picture his fans wanted to click with him," complained the Daily Pioneer, an Indian newspaper. "He should have been thanking his young disciples for having loved him so intensely even 34 years after he retired from a game that has never been slim on heroes."

Fans said it was not the same on other islands. "We had photographs with Sir Viv Richards in Antigua and he obliged everyone with autographs. It was only here in Barbados where we have had to pay," said Kassim Solly. "We even played beach cricket with some of them in Antigua."

But Deighton Smith, chief executive of Cricket Legends of Barbados, justified the amounts being charged. "The legends have no problem with group photos during official ceremonies but lots of people want separate photographs and separate interviews which are not possible," Smith told AFP. "The basic aims [of the group] are two-fold. To create a professional atmosphere through which we can produce future legends and to build a centre of excellence through the funds," said Smith of the organisation launched in April last year.

Smith said the Barbados legends realise the need for nurturing the talent which is in abundance in the Caribbean. "In the wake of West Indies' recent performances we have realised the importance of harnessing the talent and once the centre is built, hopefully by next year, we are optimistic we can produce future legends."