CPL: It’s our time to shine

What is expected to be cricket’s biggest showpiece – the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will bowl off next month, bringing tremendous economic and other benefits to Guyana and the region. The tournament replaces the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament and is somewhat patterned off the Indian Premier League (IPL) model of the game, where money is generated and some of it is pumped back into the development and expansion of the sport.
The sheer magnitude of this event will help to strategically align Guyana, as the country will be featured in the extensive marketing and promotion of the CPL in the Caribbean and the wider world. Already, Guyana’s CPL franchise was acquired by the NEW GPC/Limacol and the other five franchise countries are soon expected to do same.
The excitement is building and cricket-loving fans all over are looking forward to witnessing and participating in this massive event. There is also a huge Guyanese diaspora in the U.S., UK, Canada and other parts of the world who are eagerly awaiting this opportunity to return home to be part of this celebration. As pointed out by CPL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart, the CPL tournament could be used as a means of reconnecting with the Guyanese diaspora in the world, while re-establishing the Guyanese identity and the need for a rebirth of a new wave of celebrating “things Guyanese”.
Additionally, one can only imagine the tremendous impact the CPL will have on Guyana’s economy and the economies of the region as a whole. It will stimulate growth, create jobs, and market Caribbean products and services to the rest of the world.
Founder and Chairman of the CPL, Ajmal Khan, in detailing the massive economic benefits of the tournament, puts it nicely: “I have witnessed first-hand the resurgence and revitalisation of communities and even countries when new businesses and industries are introduced into their economies, particularly those with such global reach. I believe that the CPL will have a tremendous economic impact, not only for the six franchise countries, but also for the entire region. Benefits include international and regional travel to and around the Caribbean, hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and shopping. There will be significant advertising and marketing revenue, as we plan to make the CPL the biggest party on the planet, which will result in a significant boost in local employment opportunities surrounding the events.”
Importantly, too, is that the CPL will provide a perfect opportunity to showcase not just Caribbean cricket, but our Caribbean lifestyle such as our dance, music, food, our flora and fauna, and our tourism potential in general. Guyana, in particular, has a unique tourism product to offer the world and this is our chance to package and market it the best way we can.
In essence, the beauty of the various countries, our people, and their warmth will be on display for the world to see.
Last week, CPL announced that a weekly television programme – CPLT20 TV – will be on air from this month, featuring the six franchise countries where the T20 cricket tournament will be played. The CPLT20 show will also take viewers to the various countries and look back at some historic cricketing moments that made each of the territories unique.
Of significance too is that the CPL provides an opportunity for domestic cricketers to be exposed to the new concept of T20 league cricket. We are also pleased that players will now be able to earn a decent living from their participation in the tournament. From all indications, 60 players, comprising 10 from each franchise, will be the beneficiaries of CPL developmental contracts.
The idea behind this is to impact the lives of the players by giving them the opportunity to earn a decent living while honing their skills. In exchange for that, players will be expected to go out into the communities and be ambassadors of cricket. They will go into schools and underprivileged areas and talk about CPL and other issues in order to motivate and spread positive messages to the younger generation. This is necessary as part of the overall development of the game in the region.
It is certainly the Caribbean’s time to shine and it is our hope that all stakeholders will utilise every opportunity available to capitalise on the direct and indirect benefits that will flow as a result of hosting this event. Let’s create an impression that will be the envy of the cricketing world.