With respect to the use of Trinidad and Tobago as part of the
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise team Red Steel's title, the
Honourable Anil Roberts, Minister of Sport releases the following
statement.
The name Trinidad and Tobago is reserved exclusively for citizens and
nationals of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidad and
Tobago brand, as it relates to national, regional and international
sporting competition, is for the exclusive use of
National Governing Bodies (NGBs) which are duly constituted and
recognised by the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago as the
representatives of their respective sports. The 49 NGBs, funded by the
Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of Trinidad
and Tobago, select national athletes and national teams based on the
fundamental criteria that all athletes are citizens of Trinidad and
Tobago. Therefore, with specific regard to cricket, the brand Trinidad
and Tobago can only be attached to national teams
duly selected by the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board.
The CPL, as a private organisation engaging in a for-profit
enterprise, builds team franchises that may consist of nationals from
countries across the globe, based in a particular country. The CPL does
not meet the criteria stated above and therefore cannot
include the use our beloved country's to distinguish their Red Steel
franchise.
Nowhere in the world are sport franchises given country names. The
IPL, the NBA, the EPL, the NFL and all other franchises carry the name
of city or region e.g. Mumbai Indians, Boston Celtics, Manchester
United, New Orleans Saints. If this were not so, we
could possibly see James Rodriguez or Cristiano Ronaldo or Andrea Pirlo
or Yaya Toure suiting up for Argentina in tomorrow's
World Cup finals! So the position is clear, and will continue to be
clear for centuries to come, that the brand Trinidad and Tobago
is owned by a sovereign nation and can only be attached to teams that
are 100% comprised and representative of citizens of the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago.
During several meetings held with leaders of the CPL, they accepted
their error in using name Trinidad and Tobago during the 2013
tournament. The CEO clearly understood the argument made by the
Minister and removed the name Trinidad and Tobago from all branding
and signage representing the locally-based franchise in the 2014 CPL.
Minister Roberts wishes the owners of this private league the
greatest financial success for the duration of the 2014 edition of the
exciting T20 tournament. He however reiterates that there can be no
negotiation, discussion nor compromise on the use of
the sovereign name of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Premiere
League.
Disclaimer:
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