Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced last night that Brian Lara will be going to South Africa at Government's expense to meet Nelson Mandela. Following discussions with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Lara will go at a time convenient to himself and to the Board. Mandela, who recently visited this country, expressed disappointment at not meeting the world famous cricketer.
Manning said "If Muhammad cannot go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Muhammad." Mandela's first question on arrival at Piarco was "Where is Lara?" Manning made the announcement at a reception at his official residence last night in honour of Lara, who holds the world record of 400 Test cricket runs.