Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says that he is willing to look at a proposal from the CPL once they bring it to him officially.
Earlier in the week, Guardian Media Sports reported exclusively that CPL wants to stage the entire 2020 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr. Rowley speaking at a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic news press conference on Saturday said: "We have heard from unofficial sources that they want to host the entire tournament in Trinidad. If it comes to us officially we have cleared the pathway for that conversation and will facilitate it as best as we could under the confines of the CMO's (Chief Medical Officer) guidance."
Dr. Rowley added that such a move would require serious logistical arrangements: "Such a tournament would require serious logistical arrangements as we would want to preserve our environment. A tournament like this would require several persons coming into T&T regionally and internationally."
He said, "Now if you come in you have to go to quarantine. If they want to host the tournament in a period when you have to go to quarantine when you arrive then we can't host it. If it comes at a time when quarantine is not on the table then it is easier."
Minister of National Security Stuart Young said: "The CMO and I have been dealing with companies in the oil and gas sector and once they guarantee us that they quarantined outside of T&T for 14 days and provides us with the test results, so there are ways, there are flexibility but always guided by the CMO. There are always ways where we can be guided in this situation."
Young also added: "Minutes to one this morning, the Prime Minister emailed to me a missive from Cricket West Indies. I have been in contact with the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Cricket West Indies (Johnny Grave) asking for them to provide details for the local players who they want to tour England and it will be facilitated." West Indies are due to leave on June 8 for a three-Test tour of England.
Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh added that the West Indies tour of England is important as it will provide for Trinidad a template on how to look at hosting cricket. "We will look at the tour of England as you know there are things like you can't spit on the ball anymore and we will be guided. This is important because it will provide for us a template on how we operate with the cricket."
Guardian Media Sports has been reliably informed that the CPL will present a proposal to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and his cabinet for T&T’s consideration as host for the eighth edition.
The CPL is proposing to play four matches a day in T&T, two at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, and two at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando. The final of the tournament was always carded for T&T, as has been the case for the last two editions.
The CPL organisers are hoping to get the tournament started on August 19 with the final on September 26. Among the proposals is to have the six teams and support staff all housed at the Hilton Trinidad for the period of the tournament. There are expected to be 34 matches played.