– Trinidad offering CPL USM
BY AKEEM GREENE
The Government of Guyana is yet to make a decision on whether they would be submitting a tender to host this year’s Hero Caribbean League (CPL) finals; this is according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
Harmon, in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday revealed that the matter has not reached Cabinet for a decision.
“Nothing has come formally to Cabinet for any decision in that regard so I won’t be able to say”, Harmon stated.
Earlier this month, CPL’s Chief Operating Officer, Pete Russell, told this publication that Guyana is a viable option to host the finals given its enormous fan base and having the other essential facilities such as hotels.
In this regard, the Minister was questioned on whether there is any inclination by the Government to host the finals.
“We operate on the basis that a Minister brings to Cabinet a memorandum on the matter and then Cabinet will deliberate and make a decision. I cannot tell you about an inclination, governments do not work on inclinations, government is a strict bureaucracy and you have to function like that; when you talk about spending money you have to make sure everything is in order,” the Minister expressed.
Harmon acknowledged the impact the tournament has on Guyana and the Government’s commitment to cricket given its national importance.
“Last year we supported the CPL very well and we will always support cricket, it is a national pass time in Guyana, but I wouldn’t want to comment on a commitment on hosting the finals”.
He added, “We have a general commitment to cricket and the CPL is a well organised tournament and it brings a lot of fun and enjoyment to thousands of Guyanese and we welcome that”.
Meanwhile, a report in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian on Wednesday disclosed that their Government is offering CPL US$1 million to host the event.
The report stated “there could be a decision by the end of the week on whether or not this country will be hosting the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals as Minister of Sport Darryl Smith is scheduled to meet with CPL officials today.
It is thought that the CPL had originally labelled the rights to hosting the semi-finals and final of the event with an US$800,000 price tag but speaking to Guardian Media Sports yesterday [Tuesday], Smith indicated that T&T’s final offer to host the event is one million US dollars but we would like to make payment in local currency”.
