I always tell people that sports in general, not just cricket or football, can make big, hardback men cry long tears. Those tears aren’t Dwayne Bravo’s tears-those are the tears of the youth in him wanting to play on, but the body telling him no, enough is enough.

Destiny has already been written; no need to cry for what is inevitable as everything in this world is temporary. No words could adequately describe your aura and vibes, especially your clout on the cricket field, a truly unique athlete.

I don’t believe good things or stories must come to an end; I believe good chapters must come to an end, and his playing chapter has come to an end. Dwayne Bravo knows better than anybody else the endless avenues and opportunities available in sport, and a player of his calibre will break no sweat branching out into those opportunities. He has achieved everything possible in his career, a dream turned into a reality: won World Cups; played with his hero, Brian Lara; played with his brother; won titles for all the T20 teams he played for, including Trinidad and Tobago; scored a Test century, and became the Goat of T20 cricket.

For young and upcoming cricketers, despite his lavish and bold personality, he does not drink alcohol, and has never been in any scandal- like sexual assault or abuse of the many women he’s interacted with, or training ground bust-ups or confrontations with the media.

He’s weathered the sports politics that he dealt with professionally. His humility, while having high self-esteem, is noteworthy.

What is there to cry about? Don’t cry, champion; smile because it all happened.

Kendell Karan
Chaguanas