Gordon remains in absentia (5 June 1999 )

5 June 1999

Gordon remains in absentia

The Daily Star

None was left out, bar one. The ecstasy euphoria and pride were shared by all - he went unsung.

The victors of the Bangladesh World Cup squad, who earned the laurels for beating mighty Pakistan, was given a hero's reception yesterday. They also included Australian physiotherapist Allan Hunt. But none remembered the boss.

Except Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a patron of cricket and sports' fan, herself, nobody mentioned Gordon Greenidge and his contribution to the country's cricket on the most cricketingly joyous day of the nation.

Even none of the 'good-boys' of the great West Indian legend, whom he trained for more than two years, first for the 1997 ICC Trophy and later for Bangladesh's maiden World Cup campaign, bothered to name him, once.

Skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul categorically mentioned all to express gratitude. But, much like ministers Kader or Saber, he also forgot to remember Gordon, who was once given an honorary citizenship after the ICC triumph.

Many of the revellers who, carrying red-green flags, thronged National Parade Square and made fanfare beating drums and spraying colour were astonished when Bulbul concluded his prepared speech without citing the trainer.

I know the background so I didn't expect Gordon here. But I expected - at least Bulbul will recall the man whose artistic touch prepared them," said Sumit, 24, a cricket fan from Mirpur.

He recalled, "I can still remember the bright, sunny morning on Bengali New year's day, April 14, 1997 when the cricketers were given a warm reception after they clinched the ICC Trophy. Gordon was the hero..."

"All forgot him. It seems there was none named Gordon in country's cricket. As if the non-technical people and the ministers masterminded the defeat of Pakistan and Scotland," said Royal, 19, venting his anger.

The young man expressed his gratitude, saying "Thanks to the Prime Minister. She was the only person to remember him. The ministers might forget him. But why Bulbul, too?" questioned the cricket enthusiast.

As the chairs on the podium were inscribed with names of all members of the World Cup squad, one remained blank. "I feel bad seeing the chair vacant," said Anisur Rahman, 37.

Source :: The Daily Star