The winning of the World Tewnty20 title by West Indies over host Sri Lanka on Sunday, October 7 has led to the media world hailing the return of the West Indies back to the world stage. As some of us who have some knowledge of the game will know, West Indies was the dominant team in international cricket from the late 1970s through to the 1990s. After that it has been a downhill and for the past two decades West Indies cricket has struggled with contract rows, disputes over captaincy and selection, player strikes and allegations of mismanagement. And it was not a surprise therefore when Captain Darren Sammy said that winning the World Twenty20 title will inspire West Indies to “start something special” and that it was a “step in the right direction”. But then we need to find out the success story of this new turnaround in West Indies cricket. Obviously it has not happened just like that. There must have been work put in, efforts made, change in attitude etc to get the right results. Perhaps something that will also inspire the Nagas to do likewise is the disclosure of the West Indies Captain that they left home with “one team, one people, one goal'” and it was this belief that took them through to the top. And so from the arguments and infighting that defined West Indies cricket for many years, the change towards success came about due to the unity of purpose and a great team spirit that they have started to display. The title triumph for the West Indies during the World Twenty20 once again proves that it is team effort that counts for more than just having superstar/s in your side. When your main player like a Chris Gayle fails to make runs in a final, the strength and resolve of the team is truly tested. But self belief can do wonders as was demonstrated by Marlon Samuels, whose 56 ball 78 runs rescued the team and set the stage for a win.
Now coming to the role of leadership in any team, to be able to lead one must have certain good qualities. The Morung Express is inspired by the Christian leadership demonstrated by the West Indies Captain Darren Sammy. As he has testified after his team’s success, Darren was brought up in a Christian home and says that he puts “God first in everything” he does. “I would like to thank the Almighty God for blessing us with so much talent and keeping us together”, was one of the comment Darren made while speaking to a reporter. It is important for a leader to believe in his team and to be able to motivate them in the right way. And according to Darren Sammy, “in any organisation, any team, any group, the more you work together, the more you achieve”. This is the kind of nurturing that we need in our Naga context as well—to leave aside our infighting and work together where everyone can contribute towards the success of our team. At a time when Naga people are looking forward to a peaceful political settlement, the motto of one team, one people and one goal should ring loud in our ears. It is not that Nagas do not have the resolve to come together. In fact the Naga Concordant signed on August 26, 2011 clearly mentioned about formation of one Naga National Government. What we need to now do is to put our faith, our resolve into action and to start putting into practice the goals we have set.
