Lara Academy to host CPL 2017 final

The two qualifiers and the eliminator will be played from September 5-7, before the final is contested on September 9 .

The news was announced yesterday by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, who mentioned in May this year that the facility was being considered as a potential venue .

At the opening of the venue last month, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley indicated that the facility was part of the country’s renewed drive at sport tourism .

Describing the academy as a showpiece for cricket, Rowley fully endorsed the promotion of the business of sport through tourism that would bring events and visitors to our shores and with them valuable foreign exchange .

Meanwhile, Smith expressed his satisfaction that the academy was selected for the fifth season finale of the exciting regional tournament saying, “What better tribute could we ask for the academy’s namesake and the cricket loving citizens of Trinidad and Tobago? “The CPL has become a true spectacle for the game and is enjoyed by cricket lovers across the Caribbean and the world .

When the CPL officials visited last month and discussions began, I was quietly confident. We will ensure that it will be one of the best finals in the tournament’s history.” The last time TT hosted the final was in 2015 at the Queen’s Park Oval at a cost of US $3.5 million, equivalent to TT $24.5m to taxpayers. Smith worked closely with Sports Ambassador Brian Lara to negotiate the US $1 million bid and thanked him for his assistance .

Apart from saving our country US $2.5 million (TT $17.5 million), the US $1 million will actually be paid in TT dollars, the equivalent being TT $6.7 million which saves on the country’s limited foreign exchange .

The icing on the cake is that 50 percent (TT $3.35 million) will be paid in kind, including a waiver on the cost of the rental of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, ground transport from PTS C, Police, Fire and hotel accommodation .

The other half will be paid in cash .

The Trinbago Knight Riders will be immensely pleased with the news, and will remember winning the tournament the last time it was hosted here while they competed as Red Steel .