Former president and chief executive officer of the T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) Dr Alloy Lequay was yesterday described as a sensitive man, who was very professional and always sought the best interest of what he represented.
Lequay, 90, passed away early yesterday morning.
Former West Indies batting great, Brian Lara said he was deeply saddened to learn of Lequay’s death. “When I reflect on my coming into Trinidad cricket as a teenager, there are only two faces that come to mind—Joey Carew, who left us four years ago and Alloy Lequay, who left us today (yesterday).”
Lara said that although he retired from cricket seven years ago, every time he thought about Trinidad cricket, the name that comes to mind is Alloy Lequay.
“I think of my advent into the national scene more than 30 years ago and Dr Lequay was there. When I left, he was still there. He was always the man behind the face of T&T cricket, who always wanted the best,” he said.
Lara said Dr Lequay leaves behind a solid foundation and a legacy of hard work and success.
“He changed the fortunes and directions of cricket in the country. He was sensitive, sensible and a true professional,” Lara said.
Also paying tribute to Lequay was the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.
In extending condolences to Dr Lequay’s family and friends, the TTOC said he left an indelible mark during his long and meritorious contribution to sport and the history of sport in T&T and the Caribbean.
“He played a key role in the de-centralisation of cricket and was influential in Table Tennis.
“It was the vision of the former cricket administrator to acquire lands for a National Cricket Centre, which houses among other things the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre and an international-size cricket field.”
Dr Lequay enjoyed a distinguished career in both sports administration (cricket and table-tennis) and in politics, serving as Member of Parliament, Government Senator, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Parliament during his colourful career in the public domain.
He is widely regarded as the architect of T&T’s development as a regional and international cricket powerhouse and for transforming the T&TCB into one of the best run organisations in the Caribbean.
Born in Port-of-Spain (“Behind the Bridge”), Lequay was recognised by the people of T&T with a national award, the Chaconia Gold Medal, in 1988 and also conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of the West Indies.
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Following is a synopsis of Dr Lequay’s distinguished career:
• President, CEO of T&T Cricket Board
• Member of Parliament (1966-1971), Naparima South
• Government Senator (NAR Administration)
• Leader of Government Business (Senate)
• Founder of Oxford Cricket Club (San Fernando)
• General-Secretary, T&T Table-Tennis Association
• Chairman, Best Village Olympics 1972
• Member, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)
• Author