By Zainab Shafiq 
The forthcoming 2024 men’s T20I World Cup has stirred a considerable buzz, with discussions surrounding the hosting rights taking center stage in recent months. However, a recent twist in the tale unveils Jamaica’s decision to abstain from submitting a bid to host matches during the T20I World Cup.
This development arises from a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Jamaican government, prompted by the constraints of their available resources. The country’s Sports Minister, Olivia Grange, stepped forward to shed light on the intricacies of this pivotal decision, emphasizing its gravity and inevitability.
Grange elaborated on the rationale behind this decision, stating,
“In our rigorous cost-benefit analysis involving nearly half a billion dollars earmarked for hosting games in Jamaica, we engaged stakeholders in a meticulous evaluation. Our considerations spanned economic, social, and developmental impacts, encompassing potential tourism-related effects and collateral industry benefits. We applied year-over-year economic models, aligning them with current tourism performance. We explored diverse permutations, including the option of refraining from bidding.”
It is noteworthy that nearly every Caribbean destination is poised to welcome World Cup matches, barring Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The hosting responsibilities will be shouldered by Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago during the T20 World Cup.
Olivia Grange, further addressing this matter, stressed that the choice to forego the bid emerged only after extensive consultations with stakeholders. She underscored that the Jamaican government’s paramount interest lies in investing in the sport at its grassroots level, a decision not taken lightly.
She conveyed her empathy for the fans’ disappointment, asserting,
“I comprehend and share the disillusionment of fans yearning to witness T20 World Cup matches in Jamaica. Nevertheless, I had to exercise pragmatism and prioritize the best interests of our nation.”
Victoria Hamilton 
Madhavam