Barbadians Reflect on Economic Impact of Past Cricket World Cup Ahead of Men's T20 World Cup: Interview with Economist Professor Troy Lorde
In 2007, Barbadians hesitated over costs vs. benefits of hosting Cricket World Cup final. 17 years later, research to gauge residents' views as Barbados readies for ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
BEFORE BARBADOS HOSTED its first Cricket World Cup final in 2007, Barbadians expected the costs to outweigh the benefits. Research shows they felt differently afterwards.
Economist Professor Troy Lorde and other researchers are getting ready to test the pulse of residents 17 years later, as the island gets ready to welcome thousands of international cricket fans to its shores for the International Cricket Council’s Men’s T20 World Cup, including the final at Kensington Oval, in June.
Lorde, who is Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, believes that while Barbadians and other West Indians will be elated if the West Indies team wins the tournament, residents will also be keen for a fair share of the economic benefits.
“We are going to ask persons first of all to have a reflective look back at what happened in 2007 and then also now this World Cup coming up, what their perceptions are about the preparations and the possible benefits. Sometimes you need time to see the legacy of something,” Lorde said. (SC)
