Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 30, 2015 (SKNIS): The hosting of the 44th CARIFTA Games and the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 in St. Kitts and Nevis was deemed a success in terms of the economic and other benefits that were yielded.
On the weekly radio programme “Working for You” on Wednesday, October 28, the Honourable Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sports, stated that various sectors of society were greatly impacted as a result of the tournaments.
“The CARIFTA games required Government to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide accommodation for various athletes, said the sports minister, adding that the tourism and airline industries, the hotel sector and persons working in various hotels would have benefitted directly.
He further noted that the marketing of the country must also be taken into consideration because these games were televised throughout the Caribbean region and beyond. Minister Richards also identified the athletes who were here, and returned to their respective homes as prospective ambassadors of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Minister Richards expressed his pleasure in seeing for the very first time St. Kitts and Nevis’ very own CPL team, the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. He said that the team was able to interact with students of various schools and that vendors and tour operators among others also benefitted immensely.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that upon assuming office in February 2015, there were no budgetary arrangements made to host the said sporting events and measures had to be taken to rectify the issue.
“As the minister with responsibility for sports, I immediately brought these matters to the attention of my Cabinet colleagues,” said Minister Richards. “We worked to ensure that not only the necessary financing was put in place, but all of the other resources were made available to ensure that we not only have a successful CARIFTA and CPL games, but to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis reaped the benefits of hosting these games.”
Minister Richards reflected on one of the most auspicious event during the CARIFTA games.
“I think that one of the highlights coming out of CARIFTA was the fact that we were able to rename our own athletic stadium in honour of one of our most celebrated athletes to date, Kim Collins,” he said. “It was a fitting dedication to say to our athletes and to all of the other athletes who would have participated that in deed when you do well, you can and will be recognized by your respective governments.”
The sports minister thanked all those who contributed in any way to ensure that the various sporting facilities were in a state of readiness to host the sporting events.
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