Updated On: 25 June, 2024 07:48 PM IST | Antigua | Dr. Nilesh Mehta
Sir Vivian Richards’ currency note in Antigua and other honours for iconic sportspersons

Sir Viv Richards with the T20 World Cup recently. Pic/Getty Images
Countries love their athletes and have varying ways of appreciating their contribution to their sport. Two athletes from competing nations—Australia and India—have the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, or the country will shower the athlete with a unique high-ranking recognition—Sachin Tendulkar—Bharat Ratna.
However, only a handful of athletes worldwide have been honoured by getting recognised on the currency note of their country. One recent example is Sir Vivian Richards of Antigua. Richards has been widely recognised as one of the most destructive batsmen ever. His photograph of playing a hook shot, one of his trademark strokes, has been included as Sir I.V.A “Viv” Richards - The Master Blaster” on a Two Dollar currency bill by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. On the other side of the currency bill are the names of the islands where the currency is in use - Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Christopher & Nevis, Montserrat, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, and Grenada.