In the aftermath of Wednesday’s historic state funeral for National Hero the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, Barbadians told Barbados TODAY the proceedings largely reflected the cricket legend’s extraordinary contribution to Barbados and the world, although some felt there were areas that could have been improved.
At the Speightstown Esplanade, where a screen was set up for public viewing, a retired nurse described the farewell as one of the most significant ceremonies she had ever witnessed, pointing to the calibre of those in attendance as evidence of Sir Garry’s global influence.
Female vendor on Church Street
The funeral was the second state funeral for a cricket legend, as Barbados bade farewell to Sir Garry’s predecessor as captain, Sir Frank Worrell, in March 1967, the first state funeral in an independent Barbados.
But for the nurse, “that was the biggest I have ever seen… I was the governor generals and all the… prime ministers and all those. Garry went from here… teach them how to play, went all over the place and taught them how to play”.
Detimus ‘Penny’ Penniston
While she believed the state funeral was appropriate, she also reflected that national heroes should be recognised during their lifetime:
“I always tell people, they should give you flowers while you live so you can see them… but with the whole world coming in to that state funeral, they couldn’t do less.”
Detimus ‘Penny’ Penniston also agreed that Sir Garry deserved a grand farewell but said he wished the service had placed greater emphasis on faith.
“I like the man and all they said about the man, he deserve it, right? He deserve it.”
However, he felt something was missing.
A man known as ‘Steve’
“I haven’t heard a word… this man love the Lord… Nothing so about [him] and Jesus.”
Penniston said that if the service was more Christ-centred, it would have been better.
Steve believed the funeral should have been more accessible to the wider public. While he understood why Kensington Oval was chosen because of Sir Garry’s association with the venue, he argued that a larger open space may have allowed more people to participate.
“More people come… If you put in Kensington, you invite a certain amount of people… it should be open.”
A female vendor on Church Street said she had little criticism of the day’s proceedings and considered it a worthy send-off for one of Barbados’ greatest sporting icons.
“It was a good send off. I didn’t see really nothing wrong with it.”
54 year of Speightstown resident
Although she admitted she was “never a cricket fan”, she acknowledged Sir Garry’s remarkable achievements.
“When he hit the sixes and score all them runs… you had to be happy.”
A 54-year-old Speightstown resident also praised the overall organisation, although he noted technical difficulties with the broadcast.
“The view was very nice… but the audio… was unbearable.”
Despite that issue, he said he watched the entire procession from Parliament to Kensington Oval and was especially impressed by the cortege.
“The procession… remind me like president[ial] appointments… a state funeral. It was really nice.
“He had a good send-off though.”
Reflecting on the speeches, he observed that Brian Lara’s tribute appeared deeply personal.
“The way Brian Lara was speaking, I could see… he didn’t want to cry… He was a great man.” (LE)
The post Sir Garry received ‘fitting farewell’, say some, as others believe more could have been done appeared first on Barbados Today.
