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THE ANNOUNCEMENT that fifteen teams from overseas will be part of the 2025 International Masters Cricket Tournament, is more than sweet music to the ear- At least for those who have been sermonizing for St Vincent and the Grenadines to begin to host a tournament that attracts regional and international participation.
Hence, given the response to the International Masters Tournament, it stands to reason that it is gaining momentum and etching its way into the international sporting calendar.
Slowly the tournament is coming of age since its birth eight years ago.
Credit, though, must go to former Minister of Sports, Cecil Mc Kie, who in that capacity back in 2017, spearheaded the process that gave birth to the tournament, then called the Independence Masters Cricket Festival.
Mc Kie at the time envisaged that such an event will not only be good for St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Tourism, but would fully be utilising the Argyle International Airport, which also began operations in February, 2017.
The inaugural edition featured ten teams, three from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as an outfit from NewYork, and six from St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Fast forward to 2025, when the total number of participating teams, number twenty- one.This exemplifies growth, thus placing the tournament on a different level and more so, placing St Vincent and the Grenadines in the spotlight. It is thus fulfilling the objective set eight years ago, using sports, namely Cricket as a means of revenue generation for the country.
Therefore, it is the ambition of the main driving forces- namely the SVG Tourism Authority, and the National Sports Council, to maximise on the hosting of the tournament.
Enough cannot be said of the economic impact of a tournament of this nature, that courts participation from near and far.
Whilst cricket is the central reason for the teams descending on St Vincent and the Grenadines, the picture is wider, so too is the overall impact and spinoffs. Accordingly, a wide cross- section of the commercial sector of St Vincent and the Grenadines stands to benefit from the International Masters Cricket Tournament.
Hotels, guest houses, apartments and Airbnb owners will earn income through the provision of accommodation.
Similarly, tour operators, bus drivers, taxi operators, those in the food and beverage industry, persons who officiate in the matches such as umpires, scorers, among others, are in line to cash in.
Such is the nature of how sports can augment economic activity. In short, the tournament is probably the closest St Vincent and the Grenadines gets in rolling out an event that has the traits of the Sports Tourism concept.
This, as it is a deliberate effort to use sport as a vehicle towards gaining foreign revenue.
However, Sports Tourism goes beyond that as having sporadic events does not cut it, but a government policy whereby other stakeholders are part and parcel of the happenings.
Hosting is just one part of the puzzle, as a proper transportation network, suitable accommodation to fit the clientele, health services that are up to par and alert, excellent sporting facilities, in fact, it is an entire package that will constitute a true Sports Tourism product.
Despite the misgivings, this column believes we are on to a good thing, and it is for the policy makers to continue to strive for better. The International Masters Cricket Tournament and other such competitions hosted here provides built-in advertisement for the country.
Footage of what St Vincent and the Grenadines has to offer as a tourism destination, once packaged properly, is worth its weight in gold.
Too, exhilarating first hand experiences from those who come in, are priceless in selling St Vincent and the Grenadines as a destination for holiday and downtime.
So, the ball is in the court of the policymakers and technocrats to continue to use sports as a money earner for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Happy 46th Independence to all!!!
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