CAPE TOWN, 24 March 2007 — Pakistani cricket coach Bob Woolmer received no threats prior to his murder, was not involved in match-fixing and nothing he wrote can explain his killing, his family said yesterday.
“To the best of the family’s knowledge there is absolutely nothing to suggest Bob was involved in match fixing,” said a statement issued by Woolmer’s wife Gill and sons Dale and Russell from Cape Town.
“Contrary to reports, we can confirm there is nothing in any book Bob has written that would explain this situation and there were no threats received,” they added.
There has been speculation that the killing was carried out by criminals keen to avoid exposure in claims of match-fixing which may have arisen in a book Woolmer was planning to write.
His family reacted with shock to the news that the “wonderful father and husband” was murdered.
“The news from Jamaica about Bob’s death is devastating. It’s very difficult for the family to come to terms with and they have no idea why this happened,” said the statement. “He gave his life to the service of cricket and cricketers and endeared himself to anyone who came into contact with him.
“He always had time for those who approached him, either for an interview or for a chat.” They described Woolmer as a unique character with a “cheerful nature, positive outlook on life and a never-give-up attitude.
“Bob would definitely have wanted the World Cup to continue.”
Please Save Pakistan Cricket, Pleads Rashid Latif
In Karachi, former captain Rashid Latif yesterday demanded cricket chiefs come forward and save Pakistan from near-collapse after the World Cup debacle.
“Where are cricket administrators who enjoy all sorts of perks?” asked Latif, of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Naseem Ashraf who resigned after Pakistan team’s upset defeat against Ireland.
Pakistan were not only dumped out of the World Cup following two defeats but their coach Bob Woolmer also died in suspicious circumstances after being found unconscious in team’s hotel in Jamaica on Sunday. Players were interrogated by Jamaican police on Thursday, something Latif described as the “worst ever” situation a cricketer can experience.
“No one is trying to let the players get away with all this. Officials have enjoyed perks but they are now hiding and no one has tried to console the team. They have left the players in the worst-ever trauma of their lives,” said Latif. “The former chairman is not picking up his phone and another top official is in England which shows their lack of responsibility and respect for Pakistan cricket.” Latif said someone must come forward and take the blame for the Caribbean shambles.
“I tried to talk to one or two players but they were speechless. They are in a shock and don’t know when they will come back home and what fate lies for them in store in the near future.”
Trust Fund Created to Honor Bob Woolmer’s Legacy
In Johannesburg, a trust has been created to fund a number of projects, including a training academy, in memory of murdered Pakistani cricket coach Bob Woolmer, South African organizers said yesterday.
Money raised would go toward the erection of a Bob Woolmer Cricket Academy outside Nelspruit in the eastern Mpumalanga province, and to ensure his book on the art and science of cricket gets published, the trust fund said in a statement.
“The Academy is for the benefit of world cricket not just South African cricket and will be run as a not-for-profit organization. “One of the objectives ... is that children from underprivileged communities in South Africa will benefit in both a sporting and academic way.”
