Significant funds are needed to upgrade facilities and infrastructure ahead of the
international events taking place in Antigua and Barbuda this year, especially
events such as ICC Cricket T20 World Cup.
To underscore the need for funding for these events to be made available as soon
as possible, the Cabinet received a report from the Parliamentary Secretary in the
Ministry of Education, Sports and the Creative Industries, Senator Shenella Govia
who reported on the planning, execution and funding for a number of events that
are on the calendar for 2024.
First and foremost is the T20 World Cup which requires significant upgrade to the
facilities that are earmarked for use for the games and for practice. The Sir Vivian
Richards Stadium is undergoing significant upgrades with resources coming almost
exclusively from the Treasury of the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The
Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) is to become a practice venue for the teams
that will play matches at the two official venues—the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
and the Coolidge International Grounds. Significant resources will be required for
readying the ARG. The Cabinet made a pledge to secure the resources necessary so
that hosting the T20 World Cup Cricket will be a success.
The Cabinet also learned of the significance of fully funding Carnival 2024 since a
new standard has been established where prize monies are distributed following the
events. Sen Govia outlined a proposal to pay outstanding amounts from previous
years a little at a time given resource limitations.
She reported that the Carnival media launch and sponsorship cocktail will take
place on April 25 th at the Hodges Bay Club. The overall plans for Carnival 2024
will be presented to Cabinet in two weeks for funding approval.
In a positive development, The Ministry of Sports informed the Cabinet that it has
succeeded in arranging full scholarships for two talented and intellectually gifted
male students who will have an opportunity to be trained at the prestigious Harrow
School in the United Kingdom that specializes in training future professional
cricketers. Matthew Miller of the Antigua Grammar School and Tanez Francis of
the Jennings Secondary School will leave at separate times and will be on complete
supervision of the schools during their time there. One student will leave next
week and the other in June.
Antigua and Barbuda will host SIDS4 in May, ICC T20 World Cup Cricket in
June, a women’s cricket tournament in July to be followed by the annual Carnival
celebrations, CPL Cricket from August to September and a tour by the England
Cricket team in November.
