AS the time draws inexorably closer to Guyana playing host to the inaugural Cricket Carnival and Hero CPL finals, word is that things are beginning to shape up for the grand celebration, slated for the final quarter of this year.

In an interview with this newspaper, Public Relations officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce Cordell McClure was happy to report that the planning teams have been meeting, and things are “coming together pretty nicely”.

In March of this year, President Irfaan Ali broke the exciting news that not only will Guyana be hosting the Hero CPL Finals from 2022 to 2024, but that the celebrations will also be held in tandem with a massive carnival-like event to mark the occasion.

This Carnival will celebrate the best that Guyana has to offer the region and the rest of the world.

As President Ali observed when making the announcement back in March, “Cricket is much more than a game for us in Guyana; it is a passion; part of our culture, and a unifying force. As we celebrate ‘One Guyana’, the hosting of the CPL Finals will be an energising force.

“We are building a product that will be spectator-focused, integrated with our regional partners for a global market. Cricket Carnival is a fusion of entertainment and celebration that will be mind-blowing, and unbelievably different from any other global cricketing event.

“We welcome all to the greatest celebration of music, pageantry, Caribbean vibes with a South American touch, and, of course, Cricket played loudest.”

To quote Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, “We are blessed with amazing fans across the Caribbean, and this is very clear whenever we visit Guyana, where the atmosphere at Providence is electric.

“The idea of having the Hero CPL finals in front of this wonderful crowd of passionate and knowledgeable cricket fans is a mouth-watering prospect.

“We are very grateful to have such a positive relationship with the government and cricket authorities in Guyana, and we thank them for helping us come to this hugely exciting agreement.”

Additionally, Guyana will host seven group games, three knockout matches, and the Hero CPL final which will take place on Friday, September 30 at the Guyana National Stadium, at Providence.

The Hero CPL finals will be the culmination of festivities surrounding these games taking place in Guyana.