The cricket world cup in the carribean started with great pomp and splendor. I managed to catch pics of the opening ceremony. The West Indian people were all smiles and the tourists peppered throughtout the pictures had wide smiles that spoke lots in anticipation of the biggest tournament in the game.
Almost 2 weeks later, and I'm not sure whether I want to see the outcome. How the gentleman's game has been reduced to a political powerplay where money, corporates and bookies have their say in ensuring an outcome. The poor players and coaches in the middle bear the brunt of the struggle. I am off course alluding to the sad state of cricket that could have lent a hand in the demise of one of the better coaches in the sport.
Disbelief was probably the first emotion that went through me when I read the news on my mobile. I was really hoping Bob Woolmer would one day coach India - and transform the team into a group of gentlemen passionate and disciplined enough to lead the game into new territory (the same way I saw him contribute to South Africa's cricket team).
I've always been a fan of Pakistani cricket. The team is (cliche driven - please excuse) definitely one of the unpredictible teams in world cricket. Good enough to beat any team given the immense skill and talent in the team. Inzi's walk back to the dressing room after going out to Zimbabwe in the last Pakistani game was very moving as he walked past the applause from his teammates and the opposition. I wonder if his tears were from relief...
There's now much speculation that team India's early exit from the tournament could cost a lot of people billions. WTF??!! How does a sport progress if there is influence from all sides... Is the sport being reduced to theatre..? If India does make it against Sri Lanka, how can I, and the millions of other able supporters be sure it wasn't influenced? If they lose, would it lead to burning of effigies and stoning of buildings (ala Dhoni)?
Perhaps all sport passionate nations have these pressures, like the South American teams and their football. Feulling passions is what sport is all about. But controlling it before it reaches dangerous levels is something administrators, councils and sport bodies should seriously concentrate on.
On a lighter note, I was fortunate to watch Herchelle Gibbs' 36 run over live. The newspapers here were filled with pics of his spectacular heriocs. One even asked that he run for president...
Talking about SA politics, here's a cartoon from Madam & Eve... The cartoonists are geniuses...
For the non-SA's out there, the health minister was recently in hospital for some serious surgery (not sure what, the media have kept it under wraps). The National AIDS council chairperson was the one and only JZ (Zuma). And the police commisioner has been recently speculated to have links with the mafia.
Aaah.. only in SA..
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