Sports
Preparations on Track for Kensington Oval Upgrade for ICC T20 World Cup Finals, Confirms Sports Minister
Preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup finals at Kensington Oval are progressing well, with $50 million being spent on upgrades and improvements to other facilities. Barbados is confident in its ability to host the event successfully.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
Preparations to upgrade Kensington Oval for the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup finals are on target, Sports Minister Charles Griffith has confirmed.
In a press conference at his ministry’s headquarters in Haggatt Hall on Friday, he also stressed that the $50 million loan Barbados secured from the African Import-Export Bank last year to refurbish the storied stadium was being spent appropriately. The loan will also fund improvements to the facilities at the 3Ws Oval, Windward Cricket Club and Police Cricket Club where practice matches are to take place, he added.
“Barbados is in a ready position in terms of staging this particular event. Now we are aware that the window as it relates to preparation for this event is one that is a lot shorter than what obtained in the previous World Cups. However, the government is within the necessary resources that we believe are required to make this event an absolute success, not only for the country but… what is capable of happening within the region.
“And the $50 million that persons have referred to in terms of the spend is not only $50 million that is being allocated to upgrade Kensington Oval. Those of you who would pass the locations that are to be used for the practice matches would see that infrastructure work is being done at those particular locations to ready them for the teams that are coming to practise as well.”
The minister said he could not give a “ball-by-ball update” on the works in progress but told reporters that an entertainment manager and a “security process” are in place. He added that the tournament’s national organising committee were exploring an arrangement with taxi drivers “to ensure that the best product is put on the table”, though he did not elaborate.
“I think we are ahead of the curve, so to speak, in relation to the preparation process,” Griffith told reporters. “The committees are meeting on a weekly basis. Updates will be provided also on a weekly basis in relation to this. Not only updates in terms of updating themselves, but updates will come to the government in relation to the status so that if there’s any troubleshooting, then that we know prior to how we should address whatever issues that are coming.”
More than 20 000 people are expected to visit Barbados for the T20 World Cup, to be staged from June 1-29. Among global concerns over supply chain bottlenecks, the minister was asked what measures would be put in place to ensure there is enough food on the island to meet domestic and tourist demand.
