‘This is not a sad moment’

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Hundreds of Barbadians, members of the cricket fraternity and well-wishers flocked to Kensington Oval yesterday to pay their final respects to one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen, Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers.

From as early as 7:30 a.m., persons made their way to the historic venue, where Sir Garry, as he was affectionately known, mesmerised the world back in 1958 with a then world record Test score of 365 not out against Pakistan.

There was no shortage of dignitaries in attendance at the state funeral, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley; President The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic; National Hero Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty; Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of St Lucia Philip J Pierre; Cricket West Indies President Dr Kishore Shallow, along with scores of other high-ranking officials from across the region.

In the many tributes to Sir Garry, he was remembered as a gentleman, an outstanding human being, and a world-class cricketer who touched the lives of everyone he met.

His oldest son, Matthew Sobers, said his father’s gifts and talents stretched outside the cricket field.

“Whether it was cricket, table tennis, golf or just shooting hoops with the kids. He was blessed with rare talents few people had, but as I grew older, I realised his greatest gifts had very little to do with sports, but everything to do with the way he lived.

“Dad was born in a Barbados still emerging from the long shadow of plantocracy and colonial rule. At a time when opportunity was limited for so many, he became living proof that excellence could come from these shores. He didn’t simply win cricket matches; he changed what people believed was possible. A boy from the Bayland became respected by kings, prime ministers, world leaders across every continent,” Matthew said.

“He gave generations of Barbadians something priceless: belief. Belief that excellence had no post code. Belief that character mattered as much as talent. Belief that humility can stand beside greatness and inspired children to dream bigger and adults to stand a little taller and assured the world that Barbados could produce. That may have been his greatest lesson.”

Mottley said Sir Garry had inspired countless Barbadians by his greatness on the cricket field.

“Sir Garry gave us the gift of understanding that even though others may have ruled us for over 300 years, that they could not define our greatness and could not shape or bludgeon our aspirations. It is a gift to the nation that could not have been greater.

“I say today, as we say farewell to you, Sir Garry, this is your final walk from Kensington Oval. This will be our country’s last opportunity to give you that which you became so accustomed to – a standing ovation,” Mottley said.

“We thank you for teaching us that greatness could wear humility, that excellence could still belong to ordinary people. That the dreams of a little boy from the Bayland could become the inheritance of an entire nation.”

Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, who broke Sir Garry’s record in 1994 by scoring 375, revealed that the all-rounder had played a pivotal role in his career.

“Sir Garfield Sobers personally coached and inspired generations long after he was gone. Over the last few days, I struggled with what I would say today, but now I’m here, I realised that this is not a sad moment, this is a moment for us to celebrate.

“Today we celebrate a remarkable life. The life of the greatest all-round cricketer, and looking at this beautiful Oval, I believe we truly have a life to celebrate. Today, we pay tribute to a man that could have done it all,” Lara said.

Sir Garry was later laid to rest at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens.