Dear Editor,
It was always my intention to witness a Women’s cricket match in real time, so, when it was announced that some of the Women’s world twenty 20 matches (2018) were to be played in Guyana, at the National Stadium, Providence, I was quite overjoyed and was determined to witness at least one of these matches.
It was while I was entering the stadium, to view the match of my choice, that I remembered several promises I made to my daughter as we take our (not always) daily morning walk, to someday write about some observations we would make – and comment on – as we pass the main entrance of the stadium.
Our observations/concerns relate to one of two stretches of pavements, and to a lesser extent, the adjacent “roadway” which are collectively used to enter the stadium.
The pavement in question, which is on the left side of the “roadway” as you enter, is littered with several mounds of what appear to be a hardened mix of stone and cement. To unsuspecting persons who flock the stadium to gain entry, these obstacles can cause injuries in the form of stubbed toes, twisted ankles and sprained wrists, among others.
There is also an area between the entrance’s “roadway” and the public road which can do with of bit “smoothing over”. That surface area is uneven, scattered with bricks and other forms of debris which present an unsightly picture to the viewing eye. I do not know whose responsibility it is to address these issues but I do hope that they are dealt with.
While these issues may seem trivial, the very last thing an exuberant fan wishes to sustain, is an injury which may cause him/her to be seated at a medical institution waiting to see a nurse or doctor instead of being seated in the stadium waiting to see the performance of his/her favorite sports team or musical artiste
En passant, the match I went to see was one between India and Australia, which the Indians won. There were defining moments in the performances of both teams but it was the stroke play of the Indian batters Smriti Mandhana and captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, which lit up the stadium.
The consummate elegance with which they were lifting balls “beyond the boundary” for sixes was a sight to behold. The English poet, John Keats, must have seen their stroke play hundreds of years ago and that may have been one of the reasons for his famous line “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
And as I reminisce about that wonderful cricket match, I am yet to figure out whose responsibility it is to remove two large (damaged) gas containers which occupy an area in front of the stadium’s fence, a short distance from the main entrance, heading south. These containers are a reminder of a fatal vehicular accident which occurred at that location several months ago.
We should consider our National Stadium a treasure, and as such, its upkeep, inclusive of its surroundings should be a top priority….always.
Yours faithfully,
Maurice Abraham
