Minister of Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange says it was not financially feasible for Jamaica to host games in the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup.
Instead, Minister Grange says the government will invest $100 million in the development of youth cricket in Jamaica over the next five years.
Eight countries and 10 venues in total were listed by the International Cricket Council as host venues for the 2024 event.
Jamaica was one of three regional cricket powerhouses that failed to bid for hosting duties in the tournament, meaning, no games will be played in the country during the global showpiece.
In a statement on Saturday, Minister Grange says a cost benefit analysis revealed it wouldn’t have been prudent for Jamaica to host games given it would cost the country almost half a billion dollars.
Instead, Minister Grange says spending limited resources on grassroots development would be more beneficial.
Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United State will be the eight host countries for the tournament.
Jamaica has been heavily criticised for declining to take part as a host nation. Leader of the Opposition PNP Mark Golding has been vocal in slamming the Holness administration’s move to forego participation.
But Minister Grange says plans are being implemented for the long-term future of local and regional cricket.
Olivia Grange, Minister of Sport.
Minister Grange is moving to assure stakeholders that discussions are also underway about bringing international cricket back to Jamaica.
She says plans are still in place to rehabilitate and development of Jamaica’s sports infrastructure.
