Confusion reigned yesterday regarding the naming of the Red Steel franchise in the current Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament. While the players were busy getting themselves ready for their fourth round clash against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval tomorrow, press releases were flying left, right and centre.Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts had called on officials of the CPL to drop the T&T name from the Red Steel two weeks ago, citing that it was a franchise and not representative of a national team. This caused some alarm and although Roberts revealed that CPL had agreed that they erred in the matter and would remove the name, there was still discontent in certain quarters.
The minister provided strong arguments for the removal of T&T from the franchise but organisers were relentless and pursued the matter with government officials in T&T.Yesterday, the confusion started at 12.44 pm when Sandra Welch-Farrell & Company, acting on behalf of Digicel, issued a press release stating that T&T was restored to the team's title. The release read: "The management of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League is pleased that the matter regarding the naming of the Red Steel franchise has been resolved and that the team will once again proudly bear the name of T&T Red Steel."We would particularly like to thank Minister Gary Griffith for his timely intervention in this matter and for his support in bringing it to a positive conclusion. We can now concentrate our efforts on ensuring that the remainder of the tournament is a resounding success and that cricket fans across the world enjoy it to the fullest."
At a press conference at his offices on Abercromby Street to clear up matters concerning the controversial Life Sport programme minutes later, Roberts was asked about the realease. He responded: "As at this time, the name remains the Red Steel. I don't know who Griffith has been speaking to and what right he has on the matter but the only one to make that decision is the cabinet of T&T. At this point in time, no one has told me otherwise and at last week's cabinet meeting there was no decision on the matter. I don't know how and why Griffith gets himself involved in this."Another release was sent out by Digicel at 1.26 pm which quoted Limacol CPL CEO, Damien O'Donohoe, as follows: "On behalf of the entire CPL team, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of T&T, Kamla Persad Bissessar, and her Government for their ongoing support for CPL and in particular her help in restoring the T&T Red Steel name to the franchise."
He continued: "We are absolutely thrilled that the Red Steel will once again proudly bear the name of T&T Red Steel, and, with three home games this week, we are in no doubt that this news will give captain Dwayne Bravo and his team an extra boost in their efforts to take home the title of CPL Champions 2014. We wish them all the best and would like to thank the fans in T&T for their fantastic support."In response to the latest release, Roberts said that he could not make a comment because it did not come officially from the office of the Prime Minister, and as far as he was concerned the name was still Red Steel.