Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has welcomed the choice of Saint Lucia as a venue for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches next year, asserting that the Island’s international exposure would be worth millions of dollars.
He disclosed that the contract terms include showcasing the country.
“We are excited,” Pierre told reporters on Monday.
He spoke on the margins of a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Pierre said there was a nexus between major sports events and money circulating in the economy.
“We expect every hotel room to be filled just as the jazz festival -the spillover effect,” the Prime Minister stated.
He expected visitors to arrive from far and wide.
However, Pierre cited the challenge of regional transportation as an issue that needed addressing.
He recalled being at the United Nations when he heard about Saint Lucia’s selection to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in 2024.
The Saint Lucia matches will bowl off at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in Beausejour, Gros Islet.
In addition to Saint Lucia, six other Caribbean countries will host the matches – Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Vincent & The Grenadines.
Grand Prairie in Dallas, Broward County in Florida, and Nassau County in New York will also host the June 4 – 30, 2024 event.
Very little time left but there’s a big problem and that is, the crime factor; You’ve failed to listen to advise given, the climate on the ground has been sick & you cannot dodge that. This is not a SLP Vs. UWP problem; every St. Lucian home or abroad would be proud to see St. Lucia excel in these games, but you’ve been dragging your feet on this one; you were told months ago to seek and bring in some Bad-Ass Cops from Trinidad, Jamaica or Barbados, you did nothing; short of that, the ugly face of the gang is still with us. Please do not ignore this call Sir. For once, let’s put all this local politics behind us.
Its not too late; make some calls and let’s rid ourselves of this menace once & for all.
At lease some roads will fix, Zimbabwean sports are far more advance than St. Lucia, they have to deal with sanction, we don’t and all our grounds and stadiums looking as if it is remnant from a war.
Same government that prevented us from hosting some matches in the England tour to the West Indies two years ago because according to the Minister of Bacchanal it would not be financially viable. Now look at that!