KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – July 10, 2025 — St. Vincent and the Grenadines is gearing up to host what is being touted as the biggest cricket festival the Caribbean has ever seen, according to Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development, and Culture, Carlos James.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Minister James described the upcoming event as a massive sports tourism initiative designed to blend cricket with festival culture, building on the successful hosting of the One Caribbean Festival around Emancipation Day two years ago.
“This will be a festival like no other,” said James. “We’re seeing how we can marry sports tourism with our vibrant Vincentian and Caribbean culture.”
The event is expected to feature players from Bangladesh, England, the West Indies, the USA, and other international cricketing nations. In a major highlight, living legends who helped West Indies win the World Cup have accepted invitations to attend and will be honored for their contributions to cricket. While Minister James did not specify how they would be recognized, ANN understands that the highest national honour may be bestowed upon them during the celebrations.
This announcement follows a recent gesture by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), who honored the former World Cup champions with US$10,000 each last month.
Minister James also revealed that the cricket festival will feature performances by local, regional, and international artistes, making it a truly immersive cultural experience. “Every month, Vincentians can expect a major activity designed to attract visitors and boost our economy,” he said, promising more details within the next two to three days.
However, questions remain about the level of coordination with cricket’s governing bodies. When contacted by ANN, President of CWI, Dr. Kishore Shallow, stated he had heard of the event but nothing official has yet been communicated to CWI.
ANN has seen internal documents from the Tourism Authority requesting time off for Windward Islands players slated to participate in a regional tournament linked to the festival — suggesting that preparations are already in motion.
As the country awaits further details, excitement is mounting for what could become a landmark moment in Caribbean sports and culture.