Hero CPL honours Sir Garry ahead of 80th birthday

The great Sir Garfield Sobers received a special presentation ahead of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) between Barbados Tridents and Trinbago Knight Riders at the Kensington Oval on Saturday morning.

One of the game’s greatest players, whose influence and legacy extends across the Caribbean and beyond, Sir Garry will celebrate his 80^th birthday later this month and to mark this milestone, Hero CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe was joined by dignitaries from Barbados Tridents – including Sid Mallya and T. Venkat Vardhan – as well as Tridents captain Kieron Pollard and William Griffith (CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.).

Mr. Mallya also presented Sir Garry with a signed Tridents jersey and speaking at the event. CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe said: “Sir Garry is an icon of Barbados, the West Indies and the game of cricket and we are delighted to pay tribute to him and his enormous contribution across the sport ahead of his 80^th birthday celebrations on 28^th July. Unfortunately the birthday events clash with our games in Lauderhill, Florida, so we thought it important to acknowledge his fantastic contribution to the game here in the Kensington Oval.

“One of Barbados’ favourite sons, Sir Garry has been a wonderful ambassador for the game for many years and as well as a close personal friend, he has been a great supporter of the Hero CPL since day one. We are honoured to host him, his partner Jackie, son Daniel and extended family and friends to mark his birthday. I know that I speak on behalf of all fans of the CPL in extending our very best wishes at this time of celebration.”

In a Test career spanning 20 years between 1954-74, Sir Garry was arguably the greatest player of his generation and scored 8,032 runs (including a then record Test score of 365 not out) in 93 Tests and took 235 wickets. In addition to the West Indies, he also represented Barbados, Nottinghamshire and South Australia and scored 28,314 first-class runs and took 1,043 first-class wickets overall. (www.cplt20.com)

Photo caption: From left: Damien O’Donohoe (CEO, Hero Caribbean Premier League), Sid Mallya (Barbados Tridents), Sir Garry Sobers and Kieron Pollard (Captain, Barbados Tridents) pictured at the Kensington Oval on Saturday with a signed Barbados Tridents jersey to mark Sir Garry’s 80^th birthday later this month (CPL/Sportsfile)