BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ST. KITTS AND NEVIS is set to enjoy a sizzling summer of sports and music as the Federation gets ready to host the 19th annual St. Kitts Music Festival and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in June.
Speaking at a recent CPL press conference, Minister of Sports Hon. Shawn Richards stated that the Government is in a position to take advantage of such a unique opportunity.
"The fact that we are hosting the St. Kitts Music Festival just a few days prior to the CPL Games is indeed a very fortunate situation for us. It gives us the unique opportunity if being able to advertise both functions at the same time.
"Hence, while we are advertising the Music Festival, we would also be advertising cricket."
He stated that they would be advertising other events during CPL, including Carnival and Culturama.
"We are also thinking that during the cricket games we can begin to advertise other activities which will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis later in the year."
Richards also indicated that the Tourism Ministry would play a key role in promoting the CPL
"I can say to you that the Minister of Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism would be very much involved in helping to advertise CPL, because they see the benefits of Sports Tourism.
"Sports Tourism is one of the ways in which this Government intends to grow the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis, so CPL fits perfectly into that."
At a Music Festival press conference, Minister of Tourism Hon. Lindsay Grant was asked if he sees any benefits of partnering CPL and the Music Festival.
"If you recognise, the CPL and Music Festival are very close together. So those persons who would have wished to come for CPL alone, because of the closeness, some are using the opportunity to come to the Music Festival and vice-versa.
"So that really is going to enhance the persons that are staying over for a longer period. We are hoping to attract more persons here to the festival as a consequence to CPL."
The 19th annual St. Kitts Music Festival will run from June 25 to 27 while the St. Kitts and Nevis leg of the CPL will bowl off on June 30.
