Former Antigua, Leeward Islands and West Indies cricket administrator - Leonard Churchill (Tim) Hector - was on Tuesday laid to rest following a glowing celebration ceremony at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.

Hector, who was for many by far the most brilliant mind to come out of the English-speaking Caribbean in the 20th century, and the finest individual I have ever met, died in hospital on 12th November in his native Antigua There is, though, a paradox with Hector's death: the Caribbean is poorer with his passing, but richer for the body of work that he has left behind.

Tim was instrumental in bringing about many of the changes in Antiguan and Leeward Islands cricket. One of those changes included the provision of lunch for cricketers at the ground. During Tim's tenure as a member of the Antigua Cricket Association, many Antiguans and other Leeward Islanders gained selection onto the senior West Indies cricket team, a situation which, hitherto did not exist. Tim was also a former manager of the Combined Islands cricket team, and a member of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC).

As the day began, I could not help but reflect on the words of a famous calypso, sung by Lord Relator of Trinidad & Tobago. It was in fact, "a lovely day for cricket..." Tim would have loved that, then the weather changed as if to reflect the many facets of this quintessential Caribbean man's life.

There hasn't been another person -- except for Bob Marley or Marcus Garvey -- that has meant so much to so many persons of the African diaspora in the Caribbean and elsewhere as Leonard 'Tim' Hector. Like his mentor, the late CLR James, Hector believed that cricket had and continues to have a significant role to play in the development of the lives of the peoples of the Caribbean. It is not by chance that the only lasting almalgam of the entire English-speaking Caribbean (apart from the University of the West Indies), has only taken place in cricket -- not in commerce, not in culture, not in politics, but sports and specifically cricket.

The ceremony itself attracted various personalities from across the Caribbean, whose lives Tim have touched. Commendations and reflections came from all quarters of the region. In attendance were heads of government from several Caribbean countries, including Dominica, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, and Nevis.

The Caribbean have been charged by Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent & The Grenadines not to let Hector's legacy die. In this regard, he is proposing at the next meeting of the heads of government of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), that a scholarship fund be set up in Hector's memory. The scholarship, which will be tenable at the University of the West Indies (UWI), will be in either the faculties of humanities or social sciences, and will be given to a deserving OECS son and daughter.

Tim's sharp and incisive mind will be missed by all cricket-loving persons in the West Indies, and the wider cricketing world. His contribution to the game and its development in the Caribbean cannot be denied. Tim was a multi-faceted individual. He was at one and the same time a philosopher, an ardent cricket fan, a cricket administrator, politician, journalist (editor of the Outlet Newspaper), husband, father, and most of all, a most misunderstood person. Many have even described him as a man who came before his time. He is gone, but his memory will perpetually reside in all of us with whom he came in contact. To his family, the Caribbean and the wider world say thanks for sharing him with us! Sleep on my brother, sleep on.

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