Caption: Traffic along the Solomon Hochoy Highway on Friday evening. AZP News/Azlan Mohammed
By Prior Beharry
LOGISTICAL challenges continue to affect the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), as spectators and players experienced significant delays reaching the venue for Friday’s final Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game in Trinidad for the 2024 season.
Journalists have also raised concerns about the newly-constructed east and west media wings.
The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) faced the Barbados Royals in front of a record CPL crowd for the season, with an official attendance of 19,008 by 11 pm for match 28.
Long trek from north
Commentator Ian Bishop, a Trinidadian, reported a three-hour journey from Port of Spain to the ground. Both teams lodged at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain and travelled the 50 kilometers to BLCA in Tarouba.
Rain compounded the delays, with spectators reporting to AZP News that teams arrived shortly after 7 pm for a scheduled 8 pm start. The game commenced at 8.15 pm.
During the ICC T20 World Cup group match at BLCA on June 12, many fans endured lengthy delays using the park and ride facilities for the West Indies vs. New Zealand game.
Gates opened at 6.30 pm, just two hours before the match, requiring patrons to shuttle from Petrotrin refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre or South Park in Tarouba.
When AZP News had asked about the chaos at a press conference, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley acknowledged the need for more resources at the venue, stating, “We are in the process and as the resources become available, the government will add more to it. We are also hoping to construct a hotel around the venue to improve the quality of the grounds.” That was three months ago.
On Friday, a road traffic accident further aggravated the situation when a man was fatally struck while crossing the Solomon Hochoy Highway near the Gasparillo flyover. The delay in the District Medical Officer’s arrival to authorise the removal of the body worsened the situation, police said.
CPL’s Head of Communications and Public Relations, Peter Miller, referred AZP News to a CPL media WhatsApp post citing weather conditions and the fatal accident as causes for the delays.
Spectators on the Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy Highways faced hours of traffic congestion, worsened by vehicles parked along the roadsides and in the bushes.
Many patrons expressed understanding towards the police officers managing the parking. Despite the challenges, the stadium reached full capacity.
Journalists complaints
Additional issues have plagued the venue. For the World Cup earlier this year, media wings were added to accommodate 120 journalists. However, reporters have complained about obstructed views of 30% of the field, difficulty seeing balls hit in certain areas, and lighting reflections on the glass. Seating is also too low, journalists have complained.
Moreover, air conditioning issues have been reported, with some journalists unable to adjust temperatures, causing fogging on the glass.
AZP News has reached out to the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago for comments on the traffic and media box issues.
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