Dear Editor,
Last Sunday, Trinidad & Tobago won the final and with it the most trophies so far in CPL history. I was in Trinidad for the CPL final between Guyana and Trinidad. Many Guyanese and Trinis flew in from Canada and USA as well as from Guyana and Antigua to watch the match. There were also a lot of Guyanese who are residents of the twin island nation – loyalty divided on which side to back. There was much interaction among all about the game.
One side had to win the match and naturally there was much disappointment among Guyanese fans. Almost all of them said Guyana needed another 20 runs. But some felt the 147 scored in the 20 overs could have been successfully defended with tight bowling. Some blame the Guyana defeat on poor batting and bowling (especially by the non-Guyanese players). Some felt one bowler (who happened to be a Trini) bowled terribly. There was no blame on the manager (Omar Khan) as was penned by a writer in another paper and who happened to be a Trini – Mr. Khan has done exceptionally well managing the team since the CPL began some five years ago (six tournaments). However, it is felt there should be more Guyanese in the Amazon Warriors team. Players are recruited from other territories and outside the region to boost chances of winning the title as well as to increase turnout at games and TV viewership especially outside the region. Viewership brings in a lot of revenues through sponsorship – which is where the bulk of revenues are generated. So one cannot pick an almost all Guyana team. What is needed is a right balance of local and foreign players based on bowling, batting, and all-round ability to boost chances of getting into the playoffs.
With regards to revenues, money came in from a variety of sources: multitude of sponsorship deals, advertisements, broadcasting rights, sponsorship of games and players, sales of tickets and items related to the games including clothing and other goods and service associated with such an event. All of the related spending would have reaped tens of millions of American dollars for the region. And the spin off of spending is multiplied four times. It is also noted that attention is paid to TV audience, web site, concession sales at the stadium, sponsorship, and various forms of media coverage as well as promotion – all of which add significant revenues to the economy.
Although no formal study has been done on the effect of the CPL tournament on the economy of the region, there is no disputing that the approximate 34 matches (played annually over the six tournaments) have been giving a huge boost to the overall economy of the entire region. Though there are no published stats, CPL matches have added significantly to the growth of the economy of the territories where the matches were played.
The tourist industry in the region also got a boost with CPL and territories would have benefited enormously with the number of people who came from outside the territories as well as locals who moved around to watch the games. Many jobs and much profits were generated. Mass influx of fans and their spending making CPL a hugely important business that cannot be ignored.
Because of its impact on the economy, there should be added a couple more teams and bidding for more matches to be played especially in the larger territories like Trinidad, Guyana, and Jamaica (especially away from the major cities) to boost their economies. Aside from matches at the Providence, Sabina (Kingston) and Brian Lara (Tarouba, San Fernando) stadiums, consideration should be given to playing matches in the ancient county of Berbice (Albion), Montego Bay, and other locations that were neglected so as to give a spurt to the economy in those regions. Albion, for example, at one time, did host first class cricket as well as one day internationals. More games in Guyana or the other territories will bring more revenues to each in terms of tourism and spending.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
