Oval ready! Let the games begin, but just a few questions

Hundreds of Bajans answered Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s call to come to an afternoon open day to get a firsthand view of the newly-renovated Kensington Oval.

Hailed as the Mecca of Caribbean cricket, the facility will host nine matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament, including the final on June 29. Action starts in Barbados on Sunday, and based on ticket sales a bumper crowd is expected.

There is definitely a buzz on the island among vendors, service providers, taxi operators, creatives, the tourism sector and the lovers of cricket. We all feel vested in what will take place at the Oval over the next month. Some are interested in having a good time while others are expecting lucrative pay days. The excitement all-round is certainly exhilarating. 

Those who didn’t make the open day on Wednesday have the traditional media and social media to thank for keeping them abreast. Photos of shots featuring all angles and areas of the Oval have created a buzz as well. 

As a proud people, that great sense of patriotism is certainly heightened in all of us.

The PM told those at the Oval on Wednesday that it was our time to once again show the world why we are a unique people.

“We want to show our pride in things uniquely Barbadian. Kensington Oval is more than just a stadium; it’s a symbol of our heritage and our future. Let’s continue to build on this legacy,” Mottley said.

Like everyone else, we at Barbados TODAY are extremely excited to provide you with top notch coverage of the games and all the festivities associated with hosting these matches.

However, as a responsible fourth estate that pays attention to our readers’ comments on social media and as we quiz them on the ground, we have a few questions for consideration.

Question 1: Will we get the high economic activity being touted?

While the government has borrowed millions to refurbish the Oval, carrying out works that included installing new floodlights, sprucing up Oistins and some parts of Bridgetown, and paving roads, lucrative returns on the multi-million-dollar investments are not guaranteed. Indeed, vendors and business people who were polled recently by the media are all eager to have a successful month.

Question 2: Will we get the visitor arrivals if favourite teams are not in the final?

As it relates to the economics, the PM, Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge, the local organising committee, and the chief executive of KOMI Damien Gaskin are “one band one sound” as they predict projected visitor arrivals and spending.

It is possible that they are all overlooking the fact that if certain teams do not make the final, fans with tickets may likely return home. The matches before the final are with teams that do not have the heavy fan following. Should that happen, if people opt to go home, we would miss out on some of the spending potential.

Question 3: Will we earn enough to help repay the $50 million loan?

We certainly hope that the gains being predicted come to fruition since our economy badly needs it. As reported by the PM, there is a $50 million loan with a seven per cent interest, in the first seven years, to be repaid. We are yet to hear what the interest will be after year seven. Some have suggested that the 2007 World Cup investment was way more than what was gained. Does our government have the required metrics in place to show how we have performed economically over this one-­month period?

Question 4: Did we cut it too close with preparation?

This week alone, work is being done as part of the Accelerated Mill and Pave programme on roads that are key arteries to the Oval: Fontabelle, President Kennedy Drive and Barbarees Hill. Cricket pundits are also of the view that there should have been cricket played at the ground ahead of the first World Cup match on Sunday. The argument is that this would provide a way for the systems needed on game day to be tested. 

Question 5: What is the latest on the naming rights and the arrangement with Khan Consulting?

One local media personality reported: “Back in July 2021, the operators of the Kensington Oval were seeking the venue’s first naming rights sponsor. It was reported that marketers, Khan Consulting, was appointed to aid the stadium operator’s search for an entity to help the Oval seek a deal that will last at least five years.” What is the update on this?

There are many other questions that can be raised at this stage. However, it may be best to let the tournament play out, literally and figuratively, before we seek answers to those.

To the tourists: Welcome to our beautiful island, cricket lovers. To Bajans: Let us show them how we do it on the island of sunshine and smiles.

A happy and safe ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament to all!