Jamaica's government has announced its reasons behind the decision not to bid for hosting rights in the upcoming 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, opting instead to invest JMD$100 million into the development of cricket in the country. The decision comes after a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and consultations with stakeholders, according to a statement by Jamaica's Sports Minister, Olivia Grange.
The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup is set to be hosted by the United States and seven Caribbean countries, including St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, with the final slated to take place at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados. This prestigious cricketing event set to bowl off on June 4 and conclude on June 30, has generated significant interest and excitement among cricket enthusiasts across the region and the globe.
In a statement, Minister Grange explained the rationale behind the decision: "We had been considering the cost and source of funding of nearly half a billion dollars to host a few games in Jamaica. In our cost/benefit analysis with stakeholders, we also considered the economic, social, and development impact, including the potential tourism-related impact and attendant industry benefits using year-over-year economic modeling, reconciled against current tourism performance."
Read more at SportsMax
Full Story
What lasting benefit, economic and otherwise, accrued to Jamaica from that massive outlay of investment to host the few matches in the ICC World Cup of 2007?
Sabina Park now seems to be a white elephants which hosts more football matches than cricket matches. Expanding the capacity to 30, 000 -highlighted by that monstrosity which is the North stand, blocking the view of the Blue Mountain - now seems highly optimistic and ill-advised.
As per Minister Babsy, although cricket is no longer considered a premier sporting event in Jamaica. It’s left to be seen whether the government’s reaction is nothing but a distraction or whether this youth cricket development will actually become a reality.
In reply to jacksprat
What lasting benefit, economic and otherwise, accrued to Jamaica from that massive outlay of investment to host the few matches in the ICC World Cup of 2007?
CWC2007 was a disaster. A coach died. India got bounced early and the hosts were bad.
Unfortunately we still bad
In reply to Slipfeeler
If you believe these people who talk about youth cricket development, I have a couple bridges in New York to sell you at discount prices. And what is 100 million Jamaican dollars? These people who run Jamaica do not have a clue. No wonder the country is being run into the ground. They are not interested in anything that they can't wad their pockets from. All they do is bumble along, waiting for a talented few Jamaicans to achieve, then they run to pose beside them for photo ops
Jamaica is being laughed at and called the poor house of the caribbean for not being able to bid on cricket world cup, while other small islands can. So embarrassing!
How much money does Cricket West Indies contribute to youth cricket development ie in schools, youth clubs etc for coaching and sponsorship to purchase equipment for the players at the grassroot?
