Opinion | Editorials
The World Cup should continue
Cricket has been a game in which honesty, manners and courage were rewarded.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:37 May 3, 2009
Bob Woolmer's murder is one of the most distressing and shocking events in the history of sport, let alone cricket. There is a shadow over the game whose ultimate prize is now being played for in the West Indies. There are many who are calling for the tournament to be postponed both to help the police with their inquiries and also because it seems irrelevant to play after a man's life has been taken. Of course we do not know why Woolmer was murdered, but conspiracy theorists are having a field day. The finger of suspicion is pointing to the shady world of match-fixing which has previously tarnished cricket's image and reputation.
But the World Cup should continue, not because there are vast sums of money at stake - both in terms of sponsorship and broadcasting deals. To end the tournament would be a financial disaster for a sport that is dependent on broadcast and advertising deals. But that is not the reason why it should continue.
The World Cup should proceed out of respect to the memory of Woolmer, one of the most decent men ever to grace the sport and to reclaim the sport for the millions of fans who support it honestly and passionately. The cricket authorities owe a great deal to these fans who want and deserve an honest game. They should be given a chance to honour that debt and show that they are worthy of running the game.
Cricket was always more than just two teams competing. At its best it was the most decent game in the world where honesty, manners and courage were rewarded. This World Cup must be the start of a long journey to recapture those values for future generations and to pay respects to the memory of Woolmer.
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