Support For Lara, Questions For Ganga (7 November 1998)

7 November 1998

Support For Lara, Questions For Ganga

By Haydn Gill

There is mixed reaction from the families of two Trinidadians who were slapped with disciplinary action over the impasse that is threatening the imminent tour of South Africa.

Brian Lara's brother is giving unequivocal support to the sacked West Indies captain, but the grandfather of Darren Ganga says the first-time selectee should not have joined his colleague in a dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WIBC) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

"Brian is not a rebel as people claim him to be." Robert Lara said. "He stood up for what he believes is right. I don't see anything wrong with that."

Speaking from his Santa Cruz home, the elder brother of the illustrious double world record holder said Lara had never been a "bad boy", as many people believed.

"When was he?" Robert asked. "When this whole thing unfolds we hope that it is resolved amicably and that my brother's cricketing career can go on.

"Just like everyone else, we are only hearing, but we have heard nothing from Brian as such."

Lara's mother, Pearl, said the controversy that had gripped the entire cricketing world, had not affected her.

"I don't feel anyhow, because that's me. Nothing surprises me, nothing," she said. "In life, all kinds of things happen, and I am used to that now. This has not affected me at all."

The crisis was sparked by the WICB's decision to sack Lara and vice-captain Carl Hooper and impose fines on seven others who opted to remain in London instead of heading off to Johannesburg. One of the seven included the 19-year-old Ganga, who is probably the first-ever West Indian to be hit with disciplinary action even before stepping onto the field with the team.

Ganga's grandfather, Mahadeo Gangapersaud, said Darren should not have gotten himself involved in the dispute that is centred around several issues, including tour fees.

"He eh hold a bat yet. How he go ask for more money?" Gangapersaud asked from his home in Barrackpore, a quiet sugar cane village in south Trinidad.

"He gone to play cricket and make a name for himself. I don't know how he could ask for more money?

"Something must have gone wrong. It is unfortunate, but the board is yet to tell us what is really going on."

Gangapersaud's wife, Mahadaya, would only say she was saddened over the action against her grandson because "he wanted to make us proud and happy."

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)