Adil Najam
Like so many others, I feel that we Pakistanis need to honor Bob Woolmer’s contribution to Pakistan cricket, to memorialize his tragic death, and celebrate his talented life. I believe that a good way to do so would be to rename National Stadium, Karachi, and call it the Woolmer Stadium.
The outpouring of emotions and affection for deceased Pakistan cricket coach, Bob Woolmer, is not surprising in its content, but certainly in its intensity. Pakistanis everywhere - and even those few who are not cricket fans - have been visibly shaken and shocked by his sudden death immediately after Pakistan lost to unrated and untested Ireland and kicked itself out of the 2007 World Cup Cricket.Political events at home right before his death - including the removal of the Chief Justice, the supression of protesting lawyers, the clamping down on the media, etc. - had already made for national discontent. The unravelling of the country’s beloved sport with the defeat against Ireland, Woolmer’s death, Inzimam’s retirement and PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf’s resignation seems to have only added to a sense of national anguish, anger and angst.
Pakistanis have rallied to Bob Woolmer’s memory not just because of its tragic timing, but also for its symbolism. Amidst all of the shattered hopes, broken promises and fallen heroes, he has emerged as a - possibly the only - symbol of integrity of cause and decency of character. Given how tense and lonely his last many months in Pakistan had been, one only wishes that we had showered similar love and gratitude on him whilst he was alive.
The one thing that everyone seems to be craving for (and demanding) is to memorialize this moment as a reminder not only of how he died but as a celebration of how he lived and served Pakistan. Some have chosen to pay him tribute in poem. Many have written testaments of affection, respect and regret. Cricket discussion boards have been abuzz, many - if not all - are saying that we should find some way to honor him. Suggestions have been made for giving him a civil award, building a monument, naming a road or a stadium, etc. There is even a petition that has been launched for this purpose.
- National Stadium, Karachi, is one of two most important cricket grounds in Pakistan and naming it for Woolmer would be a fitting tribute to him.
- Unlike ‘Gaddafi’ Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium is not really names after any person, and will therefore not need to be ‘un-named.’ Other options could be to name the Rawalpindi Stadium after him, but that may not remain a Test venue for long. While a new stadium is planned for Islamabad, one is never sure when and whether it will actually be built.
- We at ATP have long felt that we as a nation do not honor the individuals who make a difference (e.g., here and here). We are especially lax at memorializing non-Pakistanis who have made important contributions (also here). Doing so for Woolmer would not only honor him, but it may also teach us the virtue of doing so; and, hopefully, doing so before it is too late. Hopefully, it may even set a trend for honoring others, some who may even deserve these honors even more and are still alive!
There are, obviously, other ways in which one could pay tribute to Bob Woolmer. Some are outlined in the petition that I have already mentioned. In the end, what matters is that we do something - whatever it may be - and do so soon. To honor him now is also a way of soothing our own grief; dealing with our own guilt (was it, indeed, our needlessly pronounced passions for the game that caused this?).
Alternatively, one could name the road in front of the stadium after him. That would not be a bad option, but would it be enough?
To name the stadium is to ensure that we will think of him, of what he did, and of what happened to him, each time there is a series in Pakistan. And long after the wounds of the defeat against Ireland have been forgotten, cricket commentators will explain the name of the stdium to their audiences by reminding that that no one should take a game - any game - any more seriously than just a game.
“weather it is bitter or sweet”
Actually, WEATHER is more like hot or cold than “bitter or sweet.”
Well, we have to accept the truth, weather it is bitter or sweet. He is dead. And he was killed. Who killed him, is still to be investigated. But it is sure that he was killed.
Its cold blooded murder guys.
That too given to a dead man. What good is an award to dead man? Don’t give an award just honestly appreciate his work Believe we thats worth thousand tiny medal/ glass craved award. You guys sounds like you are doing a big favour(eysan) to Bob by given him a medal.
A civilian award decided/givin by a dictator and award has public backing. hehe
What a shame that a man has to die for a game. I don’t think I will ever be able to watch cricket again!
As I was reading on KMB, Indians claiming that Bob was killed by Talibans. ehehe. why Indians don’t mind their own business?
I agree mostly with Ghalib. Cricket is just a game and our people (we) take it way too seriously. Also, people who are trashing the award need to tone it down and be a little more respectful. Regardless of how the awards are given, we can absolutely sure that this award really is meaningful and has the backing of every common Pakistani.
I personally am waiting for more official word on who killed him. I am appalled at the Indian media’s coverage of these events…they are sensationalizing it way too much and have apparently no respect for the fact that all of their sarcastic remarks and other comments are probably extremely painful for Woolmer’s family. Their coverage was as unprofessional as their high-pitched, English accents are irritating.
@jyothi
what if a bookie killed him? or alcohol? and remember how come the initial autopsy was INCONCLUSIVE? i am a doctor the first thing a forensic doctor does is to check the strangulation signs that are evident on the neck!!
this is all turining out to be a MEDIA STUNT now! if he was murdered by a bookie then how come u blaming pakistani team on it? yes it was a bad day bad performance,and now everyone is dyinh hard tom malign the team!
Let the results come! the conclude what happened all they waiting for is the TOXICOLOGY report!it was suicide to put it on pakistani team,it became a homicide again pakistan! it could be even anything but i can trust u all “pakistan team will be made responsible”
even aussies have lost to bengalis,india but the problem was that thier coaches never died!!!so they pulled out ok!remember people called wasim a bookie once he pulled last minute from 1996 quaterfinal,same wasim and waqar were hailed fer 2003 Cup and what happened? same exit an he got sacked and then came inzimam as a captain after wasim waqars exit! ITS JUST A GAME KEEP EMOTIONS AWAY!!!
NO ONE IS MOURNING THE DEATH JUST EXUDING UR FRUSTRATION ON PAKISTANS PERFORMANCE to top with BOB WOLMERS DEATH!
now who did it in homicide!!! pakistani players? bookie? i can trust that players with huge indian movie experience cant do it!!!they know they will be caught! im 90% sure it was a natural death or due to alcohol!
But to put it on pakistani team! everyone will buy that story!and media knows it!!!!and we are slaves for it!
May Wolmer rest in peace!