Hundreds of lawyers assembled at the 3Ws Oval, Cave Hill, on Sunday night from Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, England and the West Indies.
And no, they were not there to contest the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) shocking elimination from the domestic Sagicor Super Cup, but to launch the third Lawyers World Cup.
With Australia proudly holding the trophy from 2009, the teams were welcomed by some of the former greats of West Indies cricket as well as chairman of the Local Organising Committee Ralph Thorne, QC, and deputy principal of UWI’s Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau.
Many of the visitors from Asia could not believe that they were in the presence of National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers and other former players from the West Indies.
The Mighty Gabby gave revised renditions of Hit It and Bridgetown Market which spoke of upcoming battles on and off the field and which were well received by the audience.
The likes of Charlie Griffith, Seymour Nurse, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Cammie Smith and Rev Wes Hall provided many thrilling memories for the visitors who could not get enough souvenir photos with the legends.
When Hall turned up after church, he was immediately summoned by his former captain Sir Garry to line up for a photo.
One attorney from India was in total awe of Hall, saying that while it was a privilege to meet the pace-like-fire fast bowler, he felt that one should don a helmet just to greet Hall.
Such praises blended with comments made earlier by Thorne who lamented the fact that accomplishments in sports were attributed to great players while such achievements in the arts or other professions were described as coming from great men.
“These are not just great players. They are great men who elevated Barbados to a position of prominence on the world stage,” he proclaimed to loud applause.
The worldwide financial situation has resulted in the non-appearance of South Africa and New Zealand, who Thorne indicated had still called to check on the tournament with the view of making it to the next edition.
Sri Lanka and the West Indies will be fielding two teams.
In Zone A are Australia, Sri Lanka “B”, West Indies Tigers and Pakistan, while India, England, Sri Lanka “A” and West Indies Lions are in Zone B.
The competition began yesterday.
