An attempt by Minister of Sports Daryll Matthew to hold talks with local cricket clubs regarding the impasse with organisers of the popular Cool & Smooth T20 Explosion proved futile after the apparent boycott of two separate meetings that were scheduled for January 22 and 23.
Reports are that only one club attended the initial meeting scheduled for January 22. The meeting was then rescheduled for a day later on January 23 but reportedly only three of the nine eligible clubs attended.
Matthew, during an interview with Observer media, expressed displeasure with the low turnout while lamenting the ‘untimely end’ of the popular tournament.
“It’s a bit disappointing that the clubs perhaps were either not able to make themselves available or did not wish to make themselves available and I am not sure what the reasons are, as persons could have different reasons.
“The fact that the government — through the Ministry of Sports through myself — has tried to intervene without success is disappointing. I said to the club in attendance, I hope this does not go the way of many other things in Antigua and Barbuda where we pat ourselves on the back to say it started here but then we hang our heads and say it’s not here anymore, it’s everywhere else but here. I hope that the Cool & Smooth T20 in the history of Antigua and Barbuda is one of those events,” the minister added.
The tournament’s chief organiser, Dario Barthley, announced earlier this month that the 2025 edition has been cancelled due to a lack of interest from local clubs. The 2024 instalment of the Cool & Smooth-sponsored event was cancelled last year due to failed negotiations between Barthley and the clubs after teams made a proposal that all local players are paid to compete.
Matthew said the government felt the tournament was important enough for it to try and bring a resolution to the impasse.
“I asked the cricket association to, on my behalf, convene a meeting on Wednesday [January 22] or to invite the clubs to a meeting on Wednesday [January 22] but most of the clubs did not turn up. In fact, only one of two clubs turned up so I said, perhaps the notice was not sufficient and so I asked for another meeting on Thursday [January 23] at [Sir Vivian Richards Stadium] but again, most of the clubs did not turn up.
“I thought it was quite unfortunate that the importance and the value that a tournament like the Cool & Smooth T20 — which has now gone regional — to be hosted in other countries as well [and] for the second year, will not be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
The second edition of the St Kitts and Nevis tournament is set to bowl off in April while reports are that similar tournaments could be held in Dominica and Jamaica.
