By Akeem Greene
The “Biggest Party in Sport” returns to Guyana in its fourth edition and Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Chief Operations Officer Pete Russell is expecting the enormous crowd support that usually attends matches at the National Stadium, Providence.
Speaking to media operatives recently, Russell said, “last year we had 56,000 people crammed in here to watch the games over the four matches; that is what CPL is all about, it’s a heartbeat of what CPL is about, there were more fans here to watch the games than in Trinidad”.
He added, “Just walking in here and standing on that mound is just a great experience, that’s what CPL is about, it’s the biggest party in sport, we want people to come and have a great time and not just traditional cricket lovers but people who just want to be here for the experience because it is a fantastic atmosphere”.
The tournament which bowled off in Trinidad and Tobago on June 29, has attracted some sell-outs crowds in the twin island Republic and St. Kitts, as such, Russell expressed his pleasure over the progress of the League thus far.
“We cannot wait for the games to start here; as you know the tournament opened in Trinidad and then St. Kitts, so we have been going around now for a week. We had some fantastic games, record scores, I think the fact that Guyana won its first two matches is hugely exciting for everyone here in Guyana; the level of cricket is way up from last year”, the Operations officer explained.
CPL’s International Director of Cricket Tom Moody explained that this year, the tournament will continue to be an extremely exciting one considering the list of star-studded players participating.
Moody posited, “this year it’s quite evident the teams are all even, it’s very hard to pick a winner at this point; we are obviously thrilled we managed to attract some world class players.
He further stated, “It shines a light on the Caribbean, but it shines the light on the game globally and its shows that CPL is a significant tournament globally”.
The excitement will start in Guyana when the Amazon Warriors play their first match against the Jamaica Tallawahs on July 7 from 19:00h. They then tackle the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on July 9 from 12:00h.
The highly-anticipated clash against the Trinbago Knight Riders will bowl off at 19:00h on July 10, after which they play their final home match against the St Lucia Zouks on July 12 from 19:00h.
Tickets for the matches are currently on sale at the new CPL office at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown (old TVG building).
The cost per ticket is the same as last year: $4000 for the Red and Green Stands, $3000 for the Orange Stand and $2000 for the Grass Mound.
If Guyana had 56,000 watching the cricket last year, why then we could not have the final in Guyana? This is nonsense and the Guyanese people should not purchase any tickets for this year. The CPL organizers are only out to get as much money as they could to fill their own pockets. I hope they read this. These Money Hungry individuals.