Legendary West Indies fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts has expressed disappointment over the timing and structure of the planned celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the West Indies’ historic 1975 ICC Men’s World Cup triumph.
Speaking on the popular radio programme Mason and Guest on Tuesday night, the Antiguan icon said he was not overly enthusiastic about attending the event, which forms part of the 8th annual CWI/WIPA Awards Gala to be held this Sunday at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle.
“To be honest—no, not really,” the 74-year-old Sir Andy said when asked if he was looking forward to the trip. “50 years after the fact? You’re telling me that’s when you remember me? I’ll soon be in my grave.”
Sir Andy, who was a vital part of the Clive Lloyd-led side that lifted the trophy at Lord’s on June 21, 1975, said the belated nature of the recognition signals that the achievement—and those who delivered it—were long forgotten.
“You think anyone should wait 50 years to be honoured?” he asked. “The honour should’ve come in 1975. Maybe a couple weeks after. But it means that we were forgotten.”
The gala, jointly organised by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), is designed to honour both the current stars of West Indies cricket and the pioneers who helped shape its legacy. The event will be televised across the region and will formally commemorate the golden jubilee of West Indies’ first-ever World Cup victory.
CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow described the event as a landmark occasion.
“The CWI/WIPA Awards Gala is a significant event that highlights the accomplishments of our players,” he said. “It is vital that we create platforms to honour their dedication and hard work, while also paying tribute to the rich legacy of our cricketing heroes from the past.”
WIPA President and CEO Wavell Hinds echoed that sentiment. “We not only celebrate the present generation of players… but also honour the past achievements that have paved the way for today’s talent,” he said.
But for Sir Andy, who took 202 Test wickets and 87 ODI wickets, the format of the tribute is far from ideal. He believes the 1975 World Cup squad deserves a stand-alone celebration, rather than being folded into a broader awards ceremony primarily aimed at recognising current players.
“This should have been a West Indies Cricket Board initiative. Not the players’ [association],” he said. “We’re trying to piggyback on the Players’ Association. The current players are being honoured, and now they’re trying to jump on the bandwagon.”
Despite host Andrew Mason’s suggestion that the weekend gala could still be considered a “grand occasion,” Sir Andy remained firm. “I wouldn’t say grand occasion—it’s an occasion,” he replied. “But I think the calibre of players who played in 1975 deserve a little more than what honour they’re getting.”
While the event is expected to be a glittering celebration of West Indies cricket, Sir Andy’s candid reflections serve as a reminder that timing, respect, and context matter when honouring legacy—and that for some legends, 50 years may be too long to wait. (Sportsmax)
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