STATEMENT ON THE HOSTING OF A BEYONCE CONCERT AT THE QUEEN’S PARK OVAL

Please see below statement from Dr Ernest Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board:

In recent days there has been much speculation on the hosting of a Beyonce Concert at the Queen’s Park Oval and that WICB was preventing the hosting of the said concert.

WICB wishes to inform all stakeholders that the WICB was asked whether it would agree to the shifting of the Four-day regional match from February 19 to February 20 to facilitate the hosting of the Concert.

The WICB position is quite clear. The Queen’s Park Cricket Club is the authorized body that provides permission for the use of the Oval and can provide permission the organizers of the concert if it so decides. The WICB has indicated that if permission is granted to host the Beyonce Concert, the WICB will move the first class match to another venue in Trinidad.

However, the WICB’s greatest concern is the hosting of the One-Day International match between West Indies and Zimbabwe on February 28. After the experience of the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium where the entire region was embarrassed and subjected to a penalty from the ICC, the WICB is not anxious to expose itself to any potential embarrassment and chastisement.

The WICB is of the view that should there any damage of whatever nature to the pitch or field that prevents the hosting of the international match, the reputation of the West Indies will once again be severely tarnished. It is a chance that should not be taken and if the Queen’s Park Oval is used for the hosting of the Beyonce Concert, the WICB will explore all other options to safeguard the best interest of West Indies cricket.