I was shocked to learn there will be no television coverage of Cup Match this year. This is Bermuda’s premier cultural event; no other country in the world has a two-day national holiday to play a cricket game.

It is a cultural tradition so deeply ingrained for more than a century that no matter where Bermudians are, no matter their age, they are displaying their favourite team’s colours.

In some cases,persons are in hospitals, and institutions, are overseas, or at home, at a picnic or the family reunion, which is popular around this occasion, but all tuning in regularly to check the score

In the earlier days it was the radio with famous broadcasters such as C.V. “Jim” Woolridge — The Voice of Summer — or Rudolph “Bunkers” Bean. They knew the game and the colloquial terminology of the field settings and the plays. The point being that the whole island was kept in touch with the game, and the mood and the atmosphere of the crowd. This was enhanced in latter years with television that became useful, particularly for those who could not attend. At times also, it was an enticement for those watching to go to the game and join in the festivities — particularly a victory celebration.

How could they, in this case whoever the “they” is, drop the ball on broadcasting this event live ball by ball?

In the words of my mother and folks of that generation, “it’s a crying shame” for those responsible to have sold out our tradition, and we need to know why.

How could we have sponsors, in some cases banks, liquor stores and other businesses — who see a lot of commercial activity during the Cup Match season, and who advertise with huge banners and placards around the field — not share some sense of responsibility. How can this government not support the very legacy that built them? Oh, what about CITV? Is it broke?

The biggest indictment is on us, though. We whose forefathers had the ability to build the lodges and clubs that started and hosted these events. We of this generation who do not have the wherewithal to sustain what they built.

Just broadcast the game is all that’s being asked. Is that too much of an ask?