In honour of the renowned West Indian cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, a commemorative $2 banknote with a picture of the former batting star has been printed and will be circulated throughout Eastern Caribbean countries. Beginning on December 6, the notes will be available at banks throughout the Eastern Caribbean. The tribute money was unveiled at an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in Antigua, Richards’ birthplace.
Dreams Are Made Of This: Viv Richards
Meanwhile, Sir Vivian Richards acknowledged his appreciation for the distinction.
“To be honoured in such a way is something that dreams are made of,” Richards said, according to islandpressbox.com. He was given the first-ever $2 bill with his image on it.
Camillo Gonsalves, Chairman of the ECCB Monetary Council, believes that people who put money above representing West Indies or improving West Indies Cricket may not achieve the same level of success or stature as Sir Vivian.
“Today, apartheid raises its head in new forms and new locations, morphing into genocide, and our sports people are quiet. But Sir Viv was never quiet. Now, we have a modern set of cricketers so consumed with money that they forget the importance of the unity of the West Indies cricket team. Those who chased money in apartheid South Africa, those who chase money today, will never find themselves on money like Sir Viv does today,” Camillo Gonsalves was quoted as saying.
Richards is considered as one of the best batters of his generation and is regarded as one of baseball’s all-time greats. He played 121 Tests and 187 One-Day Internationals for the Men in Maroon, averaging over 50 in Tests and over 47 in ODIs. He was also the team’s captain, and he guided them to 27 victories. Under his leadership, the Windies never lost a Test series.
