Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 12, 2014 (SKNIS): With Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) just around the corner, it is evident that the combination of sports and entertainment will attract tourists to the Federation as part of the Government’s pursuit of active sports tourism,” says Minister of Sports Hon. Glen Phillip.
“The island’s facilities have already attracted Athletics Canada who visits every December to train,” stated Minister Phillip. He added that the event, which will showcase the island’s facilities, will attract other sporting teams and organizations to the island during its tourism season’s ‘down time’ (May – September).
“We have teams out of England who come here and use our facilities and so the interesting thing about the CPL is that it is attracting viewership from territories that do not view us as a ‘traditional tourist destination’, for example India, Pakistan, Australia,” he stated. “Based on the agreement that we have made, for five minutes of every single game, a video promoting and showcasing St. Kitts will be viewed by persons in those territories.”
Videos reportedly will be seen by approximately 36 million persons.
English cricketer Sir Ian Botham noted that the extent of the viewership should not go unnoticed as it will serve to benefit the island.
“I don’t think the people have grasped how big this occasion will be,” Sir Ian stated. “It will go all around the world, it will be viewed, it will be watched and I would say if you want to go on to the games don’t hang around buying the tickets because they will go and there will be a lot of people coming in from England; there’ll be a lot of people coming in from the [United] States and the other Caribbean islands. It is a massive thing for St. Kitts and Nevis and I think it would do the island so much good and bring so many people through.”
Also attracting international attention will be the inclusion of American Rap artist Rick Ross who will perform on August 15.
The tournament will begin officially on July 09, 2014. The semi-finals and finals will be held in St. Kitts from August 07-16.