Revelling in hypocrisy

My Queen’s English dictionary defines hypocrisy as “Falsely pretending to possess virtues, beliefs etc”. Simply put it is an act of deceit.

Doesn’t this definition fit into the operations of some sporting issues here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean?{{more}}

Hypocrisy reigned recently as the region’s cricket authorities palavered and sought directions as whether it was prudent to send the West Indies A team on tour to the troubled Zimbabwe.

Was there a case for discussion? Why did we not take the moral highway and say an emphatic no to the tour? Safety of the players was the main concern rather than addressing the issue at hand.

The Australians and other nations have given a thumbs down to playing in Zimbabwe, why can’t we?

The reports of the happenings of the Robert Mugabe’s leadership style smack on near tyranny. Yet Caribbean leaders have not been forthright nor decisive in the way they condemned apartheid. Unprincipled we are on this matter.

The bowels of the much touted black consciousness in the Caribbean have been gluttoned with emptiness on this matter.

Yes, the Zimbabwe scenario may be slightly different, but when human rights and privileges are trampled on, then the time to speak out is upon us.

Our governments were at the forefront of seeing the end of the then South African set up which jolted citizens into militancy and vanguards.

We were quick to refer to that set of West Indian cricketers of 1983 as “rebels” when they fell to the trap of accepting lucrative contracts in South Africa with Apartheid in full swing.

With a similar situation confronting us we shifted the goal posts and are willing to compromise our position. Or do we have one by the way?

Whether by accident or design, the Zimbabweans on their visit here in March to play in the World Cup warm up matches were not given any open sympathy for their plight from many who claim to be progressive. In fact the Zimbabweans seemed to be “least among the apostles” as they were afforded the least profiled of all accommodations offered.

Why did this happen? Is it that we took them for granted or they were not as important as the other three countries?

Similarly it was total deceit with newly appointed Chris Gayle’s recent out and out attack on the West Indies Cricket Board. Had this outburst come from Brian Lara, then the end will never been heard. But his comments never became an issue and were less than a nine day talk. In fact he had the backing of former fast bowler Ian Bishop.

While we are afraid to call a spade a spade, the game that we enjoyed status of world champion for over a decade has declined and is in shambles. We have moved from heroes to zeroes.

Part of the demise of the regional team has been blamed in the so called “insularity”, and we in the OECS often complain of being marginalised by regional selectors.

We have a hue and cry when players from the sub regional territories do make the West Indies team. We chide the larger territories for trumpetting the cause of their players.

However, when players from especially the Windwards make the cut, we tend to highlight their performances above everyone else’s. Aren’t we doing the same?

Here at home we are quick to haul associations and clubs/teams over the coals for their failure to conduct their affairs with transparency and openness. Any shortcoming is given full publicity. But we have been decidedly silent with the others who are perceived to be part of the elitist clan.

There’s no shortage of exposing the wrangling and wrong doings of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation and the Table Tennis business has become an open sepulchre, while others are treated with strictest confidentiality.

How long will we continue to revel in costumes of hypocrisy and pretence? For some it is an innate trait while others just simply join the band.