BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER and Minister of Sports, the Hon. Shawn Richard has indicated that the Federation is on course with its Caribbean Premier League (CPL) financial commitments.
The disclosure was made yesterday (May 27) at the Prime Minister's Monthly Press Conference, where he revealed that a sum of money was recently paid.
He indicated that the first due payment of US$1M was and paid to the CPL last Friday (May 22).
Richards also announced that they had negotiated a new payment plan with the CPL.
"When we came here previously on the matter of CPL, the biggest concern was the fact that the previous Administration did not budget and monies in terms of CPL.
"Cabinet took a decision to go forward with CPL. We were able to speak to the executive members of CPL. We came up with a revised payment schedule. The first payment of US$1M became due and payable o the May 22... and in collaboration with Cabinet and with persons from the Ministry of Finance. I can say that we are on schedule with regards to that particular payment."
He further revealed that two more payments are to be made before the CPL games commence on June 30 at Warner Park, which would take the figure to US$2.5M.
"There are two more payments equalling $750 000 each, making the total of 2.5 million which will be paid before the CPL Games are hosted here on June 30."
Richards also gave an update on the preparations for CPL.
"There is a Local Organising Committee that is working to ensure that everything is in place for CPL. The persons on that Committee are Val Henry, Lester Hanley, Shirley Julius, Mervin Hanley, Kevin Morris and Noah Mills."
He indicated that the local cricket association had also been given responsibility for the local operations. That association is headed by Dennis Phillip.
St. Kitts and Nevis are scheduled to host 10 CPL Games at Warner Park, including a charity game.
The Team Unity Government had faced a dilemma when it took office in February and met a CPL contract signed by the former Minister of Sports committing $7M to CPL with $2.5M scheduled to be paid in 2015 with no budgetary support.
Minister Richards stated that the Government would have to peruse the contract to see if it would be fulfilled.
However, at a CPL press conference, he announced that Cabinet would fulfil the contract after considering the benefits available for the Federation.
