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Preparations on track for local leg of CPL says Event Operations Officer Alex Graham
By Sean Devers
According to Alex Graham, the Event Operations Officer of the Guyana leg of the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) t/20 cricket, logistical preparations are on track for the local staging of the tournament scheduled to commence on July 31.
The second match of the competition is fixed for Guyana when the Guyana Amazon Warriors take on defending regional t/20 champions Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Steel at the Providence Stadium.
Graham explained that because the first two ODIs between West Indies and Pakistan are slated for Providence before the CPL starts (July 14 &16) they should provide a perfect dress rehearsal for the
CPL officials and players at yesterday’s briefing. Seated are Alex Graham, Roger Harper and Jaime Stewart.
CPL because of its International status.
“The Stadium will be used for the Pakistan matches, which means the venue would have been passed fit for those games in terms of ground conditions, security arrangements and spectator participation. So in fact the work of the local Organizing Committee will be made easier for the CPL due to the ICC event” Graham disclosed.
Graham reassured that the local Committee comprised very competent personnel in the respective areas with most of them being members of the two successful world cup events hosted by Guyana.
“Ticket prices will soon be known but I can tell you that there will be much wider access for fans to purchase tickets across Guyana. The prices will also encourage fans to support the games,” Graham noted.
“The cost of corporate boxes will be known shortly but will take basically the same process as for International matches while although security will not be compromised, fans can expect less stringent measures to help create a real Caribbean Carnival atmosphere at the venues,” Graham continued.
Roger Harper, Head Coach of the local franchise which was bought by Guyanese businessman Ranjisingh “Bobby” Ramroop, said the biggest challenge is the adverse weather which is presently affecting the preparation of the locally based players.
“We are having problems finding a suitable ground to practice because of the rain but I am confident that with the team we have on paper we can do really well,” Harper said.
The former West Indies Test off-spinner and ex senior team Coach informed overseas players, Trinidadian off-spinner Sunil Narine and Pakistan t/20 Captain Mohammed Hafeez are in Guyana’s line-up. Ramnaresh Sarwan, IPL all-rounder Chris Barnwell and baby of the team Trevon Griffith are also in the local side.
“Sarwan has led Guyana to two regional t/20 titles while Barnwell’s IPL experience should be an asset for his side and am pretty happy with the team on paper,” Harper noted.
The Guyanese franchise play three matches at the Stadium as they also come up against the Jamaica Tallawahs on July 4 and the St Lucia Zouks on July 7 before leaving for their remaining matches.
CPL’s Commercial Director Jamie Stewart praised the Guyana Government (through the Ministry of Sports and the Tourism Ministry) for their support of the Guyana leg and explained that there was a high level of engagement with the Government in getting a Guyana Company to purchase the Guyana Franchise.
He also said the CPL was working with the ICC and WICB to ensure the competition met all their requirements, especially in the area of drug use and spot fixing.
Stewart also informed that Trinidad and Tobago, who won the 2013 regional t/20 competition, will represent the Caribbean in the next Champions League while from next year the CPL champions will travel to the Champions League.
Sarwan, Barnwell and Griffith, along with the LOC team were also present at yesterday’s media update and the three cricketers all endorsed the tournament, adding that they felt it was a good thing that a Guyanese was able to buy not only the local Franchise but also the title sponsor.
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