In a private ceremony at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation’s Council chambers, cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers was presented with the Key to the City of Kingston by Mayor Councillor Ralph Brown. Mayor Brown highlighted Sir Garfield's outstanding cricket career, emphasising his influence on young cricketers in Jamaica and worldwide. The ceremony, long overdue, recognised not only Sobers' on-field achievements, but also his gentlemanship and inspirational impact on youth.

Published Tuesday January 28, 1975

Sir Garfield gets Key to City

World-famous cricket batting star Sir Garfield Sobers was presented with the Key to the City of Kingston by His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Ralph Brown, at a private ceremony held at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation’s Council chambers yesterday afternoon.

Originally, the ceremony should have been held at the Ward Theatre, to which the public had been invited, but the venue was changed by the mayor, who refused to attend any ceremony at the theatre until it conformed to the regulations of the KSAC, and as a consequence, the ceremony was transferred to the KSAC Council chambers.

The resolution conferring the city’s highest tribute on Sir Garfield was passed at a meeting of the KSAC on January 14 and was proposed by the mayor himself.

At the ceremony yesterday, the mayor said: “Today, we welcome you to our chambers, Sir Garfield Sobers and Lady Sobers. It is fitting that the function should be held here because here is the seat of learning of our city.

"Great men have passed through these chambers and have blossomed out into great politicians of the day. Today, we acknowledge you as one of us and as one who has played the game of cricket well. Your performance as a batsman, bowler, and fielder has reflected greatly on the cricketing countries of the world and especially in the West Indies. You have been a model to young cricketers in Jamaica and abroad.

“We here in Jamaica have great regard for you because it was here at our own Sabina Park that you made your cricket debut and set the unbeatable record of 365 against Pakistan.”

The tribute today was long overdue Councillor Brown said, adding that it was not only for his achievements on the cricket pitch, but for his gentlemanship and the inspiration that he gave to the young people of Jamaica, the West Indies, and the world over.

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Community Development Mr Seymour Mullings, in his address, said that 20 years before, Jamaica welcomed for the first time a promising teenager from Barbados. That teenager was Garfield Sobers.

"His remarkable and phenomenal career as an illustrious sportsman has blazed a trail all over the world and has thrilled thousands who have seen the supreme cricketer at play. His performances will be always remembered by us all,” Mr Mullings said.

“We in Jamaica take pride in that we produced the venue to launch this great batting machine against Pakistan and [who] shattered the record. This honour is well earned and is truly deserved, and all Jamaica is justly proud.

“We are pleased to note that despite his fantastic performance and outstanding achievements, he remained a quiet, simple, modest, and humble man.

“May you wear your crown with the same elegance as you did on the pitch, and may you forever continue to be a source of inspiration and a shining symbol to all,’’ Mr Mullings said.

Earlier, some of the councillors had spoken briefly. Councillor A. Maragh said that the KSAC honoured Sir Garfield as a great ambassador of Jamaica and the West Indies. “We are proud of you,’’ he said.

Bridge

Councillor Ken Hill said Sir Garfield was the “undisputable greatest all-rounder” of modern cricket in the last century.

He said he was honoured not only for his achievements, but for his continued interest in cricket, which testified to the fact that he was the bridge between the young and the old and the past and the present.

Councillor Pearnel Charles said the Key to the Cty conferred upon Sir Garfield was a symbolic gesture. “It is our way of saying thanks,’’ he said.

Sir Garfield, in replying, said he was honoured to accept “this great honour from the people of Kingston and Jamaica". He said he was deeply moved by the sentiments and tributes expressed, adding that he felt out of place and would have preferred to be at Sabina Park, where he could reply much more easily.

“Thank you very much for this honour in awarding me with the key to your city. It is a great honour and privilege to be offered such an honour, but when I think of the Jamaican people, I am not at all surprised.

"They have always welcomed me and my family with open arms. The friendliness, warmth, kindness, and the wonderful hospitality you have always shown us is great, and I hope that the other territories in the Caribbean will take a leaf out of your book.’’

Sir Garfield said that the only way he could express his gratitude was by coming back to Jamaica and finishing his career at Sabina Park “where it all began”.

The key was contained in a huge cricket ball mounted on a stand. The citation was read by Town Clerk Mr Basil Daniels. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Lady Sobers by little Dorothy Shirley from the Maxfield Park Children’s Home. Prayers were offered by the Rev. Alton Tulloch.

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