Caribbean leaders, cricket legends and mourners from across the region gathered at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday to bid a final farewell to Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game.
Sir Garfield, who died on July 17, was laid to rest a day after what would have been his 90th birthday. Among those attending the state funeral was CARICOM Chairman and Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who participated in the service by reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy.
Standing before the congregation, Pierre delivered a passage urging perseverance and faithfulness.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you, proclaim the message, be persistent whether time is favorable or unfavorable, convince, regroup, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching,” he read.
He continued by reminding mourners of the importance of remaining faithful in the face of changing times.
“For the time is coming when people will not put up with the sound teaching, but having the ears tickled, they’ll accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.”
Concluding the reading, Pierre recited the Apostle Paul’s reflection on the completion of life’s journey.
“As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. As for me, I’m already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the fight, I’ve finished the race, I’ve kept the faith.”
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley reflected on the timing of Sir Garfield’s passing, noting the remarkable coincidence that surrounded the West Indies cricket team’s latest victory.
“Life has many ways of playing with our minds. So Garry chose to leave us just before his 90th birthday. And we celebrate him today, the day after his 90th birthday,” Mottley said.
She pointed to the West Indies’ victory on July 28, describing it as a fitting tribute to the Barbadian icon.
“As fate would have it, the gods conspired that our West Indies team would equally celebrate him yesterday by winning on the 90th birthday of Sir Garry, a match by 90 runs, but more importantly, in four days, so that each and every one of those Bajan cricketers could be here today to say farewell, our hero, farewell.”
Mottley invited the seven Barbadian members of the victorious West Indies team to stand before the congregation in recognition of their achievement.
“I ask those seven men to stand and be recognized at this ground of Kensington Oval for bringing to us the greatness and poignancy of that expression. And we salute you, my brothers, for coming in and doing it.”
She revealed that she had congratulated West Indies captain Roston Chase following the victory, describing the result as a tribute worthy of Sir Garfield’s legacy.
“I said to Captain Chase, there could have been no greater way to have won this game. You did it better and with flair.”
Mottley concluded with a challenge to the regional side to continue honoring Sir Garfield through their performances.
“We salute you, but we ask you, in the name of Sir Garry, to keep trucking on and keep winning.”
Sir Garfield Sobers is remembered not only as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, but also as a sporting icon whose influence extended far beyond Barbados and throughout the Caribbean and the wider cricketing world.