Hosting CPL final is striking example of misplaced gov’t priorities

Dear Editor,

In the April 20 edition of the Guyana Chronicle an article titled, `Finals Finally!’ revealed that the Government of Guyana paid nearly a billion dollars (US$4.5 million) for the rights to host three cricket matches (finals and semi-finals) at the Providence Stadium.  Additionally, the Trinidad Guardian newspaper reported in its April 19 edition that Guyana beat out Trinidad and Barbados for the opportunity to host the aforementioned matches.  The Guardian report also indicated that a source close to the negotiations informed that last year’s host Trinidad offered US$1.5 million and was willing to increase its offer up to US$2 million.

While I’m a huge sports fan and cricket buff and look forward to the CPL finals, this latest decision by the government represents another striking example of misplaced priorities.

At a time when negotiations for public servants’ salary increases have not been completed, the Wales Sugar Estate being closed without an alternative viable plan presented, sports associations receiving US$1000 (in some cases US$200 as reported by the Baseball Association) and the Guyana Football Federation having to cede the hosting of its next Caribbean Cup game to Curacao because of the lack of a proper football pitch, this decision is nonsensical as it is untimely. Just imagine what this close to one billion dollars could have done to address those issues stated above.

I know the football fraternity is seething since it would have cost a mere 8 to 10 million dollars to upgrade the Leonora Athletic Facility’s field to meet the required international standard or just around US$1 million to build a new football facility with stands. Additionally, sports associations would have been more than happy to each receive one million dollars annually for several years to administer and develop the disciplines under their charges.

Even the Ministries responsible for the hosting of the month-long Independence Jubilee celebrations are probably miffed at the fact that 3 matches will receive three times what has been invested for the one month of activities.

Some will use the argument that the hosting of the CPL finals will spur economic activities and boost the economy. While this might be true in the short run, it leaves no sustainable lasting economic imprint on our economy. Moreover, one has to ask if this hosting is so lucrative for our economic fortunes, then why would the region’s richest economy and last year’s host give up the opportunity to host this year, and was only prepared to offer less than half of what Guyana eventually paid? Certainly if Trinidad made a fortune last year, and saw another opportunity to spur its struggling economy, it would have ensured that it out-did the other candidates to retain the rights.

It is time that we get serious about economic priorities and allocate scarce resources where they are needed most.

Yours faithfully,

Clinton Urling