The 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final capped off an unforgettable tournament at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval, widely celebrated as the spiritual home of Caribbean cricket, with an historic upset that saw the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons claim their first-ever league title with a dominant eight-wicket victory over the Jamaica Kingsmen. In the aftermath of the sold-out clash, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley sat down with reporters to reflect on the event’s far-reaching impact, highlighting how the tournament has cemented cricket’s long-standing role as a unifying thread across the diverse Caribbean region, while pushing for sustained public and private investment in regional sporting infrastructure.
Mottley opened her remarks by expressing surprise and delight at the unprecedented turnout for the final, noting that while organizers anticipated strong fan engagement, the level of support far exceeded initial projections. “When we made the decision to bring the CPL final back to Kensington Oval this year, we hoped for a good crowd, but we never imagined it would be this overwhelming,” Mottley said. “I have to extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Barbados, and to every fan who traveled from across the region and beyond to be part of this moment.”
She went on to praise the championship-winning Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, highlighting the team’s consistency, leadership and relentless determination throughout the entire tournament that earned them their historic maiden title. “From the opening match to the final over, the Falcons showed what Caribbean cricket is all about: leadership, commitment and the kind of perseverance that wins championships,” Mottley added.
When asked about whether Barbados would bid to host the 2025 CPL final, Mottley struck a collaborative tone, acknowledging that multiple Caribbean nations have expressed interest in hosting the event. She confirmed that while Barbados will remain an active candidate to host future finals in the coming years, the country is open to sharing the opportunity with other regional partners. “We’re not greedy. We know other countries are eager to host, and we’re happy to work with them. But make no mistake: Barbados will be in the mix for future finals, whether that’s next year or in the near future,” Mottley said. She added that as cross-regional travel becomes more seamless, fan attendance at CPL matches will only continue to grow, strengthening the sport’s connection across Caribbean communities.
Beyond the excitement of the final, Mottley used the platform to outline the Barbados government’s long-term strategy for sports development, linking recent local athletic successes to intentional public investment in training programs and infrastructure upgrades across multiple sports. The prime minister emphasized that elite sporting success does not happen by chance, arguing that sustained investment in young athletes is critical to nurturing the next generation of global sports talent. “You cannot step back and hope for good results by accident. You have to invest intentionally in our people and our facilities,” Mottley explained. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to expand our high-performance center, and we will keep prioritizing investment in our young people. Our athletes are global citizens rooted in Bajan and Caribbean identity, and that’s something we have to nurture.”
As a key example of the government’s commitment even amid nationwide economic headwinds, Mottley highlighted the ongoing construction of a new national stadium in Waterford. She also noted that the 2024 CPL final has already delivered significant economic benefits to Barbados’s hospitality, tourism and retail sectors, saying she is optimistic that official economic data will reflect strong positive gains from hosting the event, and she looks forward to seeing the final numbers in the coming weeks.