Dear Editor,
With the unfortunate reappearance of the “bookie” in India whose tentacles have tainted one of our own, do we need to ask questions here at home before the greatest show on earth touches down at providence?
Marlon Samuels states that he has known the reputed illegal bookmaker, Mr Kochar, for years and that the gentleman is a friend of his. He categorically states that he has never taken part in match fixing and indeed if one reads the transcript, one can hardly detect any conversation that would suggest anything untoward, rather a conversation between two friends discussing cricket.
However, the Indian police and the ICC security (incidentally headed by a Guyanese) have seen or heard enough to launch an inquiry. This begs the question of our own Chief Cook and Cricket Commissar’s perfectly legal profession and whether any casual or official conversation with any player, come World Cup, 2007, would cause any waves.
Imagine the following conversation between Sarwan and Mr Singh at a cocktail, prior to World Cup?
“How’s the thumb, Ronnie? Will you be ready to play on Sunday?”
If Ronnie says yes, is this information of the possible team line up being given to a Bookie? Would Ronnie be indicted? Are we placing our team in jeopardy by the continuing presence of a bookmaker at the highest cricketing fora?
We all know what a sterling contribution Mr Singh has made and continues to make in the cricketing arena, but should the integrity of our cricket, (through no direct fault of our Cricketing President) continue to be compromised, particularly when we will be thoroughly scrutinized in the light of the latest “Samuels” development?
Yours faithfully,
Mohan Persaud
Editor’s note
Mr Chetram Singh, the President of the Guyana Cricket Board, is also the owner of the Goodwood Racing Service. Mr Singh has assured us that he has never offered or taken bets on cricket matches here or elsewhere and has no intention of doing so. He would therefore have no financial interest of any kind in getting information from cricketers.
