–Roopnarine lashes back at CPL

By Stephan Sookram

GUYANA is not one of the three countries still in negotiations for the hosting of the Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) semi-finals and final, according to senior Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.After days of silence, the CPL through its publicity unit released a statement from CEO Damien O’Donahue saying, “The CPL is currently in negotiations with three countries who are each bidding to host the finals of this year’s CPL.”
The statement continued, “Despite recent speculation, no decision has been made regarding the venue and it is hoped that negotiations will be concluded within the next fortnight.”
However, Dr Roopnaraine told Chronicle sport yesterday, “If they are negotiating with Guyana, I don’t know with whom they are negotiating. They are certainly not negotiating with me.”
He continued, “I think we (the government) are finished. As you know, CPL is now I think in Trinidad as we speak and it looks as though the Trinidadians have just bid more money than we have bid.”
Dr Roopnaraine who yesterday broke the news that Guyana had been outbid for the semi-finals and final of the tournament, was supported by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who confirmed the outcome.
He was quoted as saying, “The CPL made a bid, we reviewed it in Cabinet … we were to review it again and then we heard that Trinidad outbid us.”
His views were further solidified by Junior Minister of Education Nicolette Henry.
It is unclear which three countries the CPL committee is in negotiations with for the hosting of the marquee finals, but at this time it rules out the administration of President David Arthur Granger.