Statement by T&T Sport Minister regarding red Steel

Statement by T&T Sport Minister

Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Sport has released a written statement from Anil Roberts, the Minister of Sport, regarding the discontinuation of the name "Trinidad and Tobago" by the CPLT20 franchise originally known as "Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel".

With respect to the use of Trinidad and Tobago as part of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise team Red Steel's title, the Honourable Anil Roberts, Minister of Sport releases the following statement.

The name Trinidad and Tobago is reserved exclusively for citizens and nationals of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidad and Tobago brand, as it relates to national, regional and international sporting competition, is for the exclusive use of National Governing Bodies (NGBs) which are duly constituted and recognised by the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago as the representatives of their respective sports. The 49 NGBs, funded by the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, select national athletes and national teams based on the fundamental criteria that all athletes are citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, with specific regard to cricket, the brand Trinidad and Tobago can only be attached to national teams duly selected by the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board.

The CPL, as a private organisation engaging in a for-profit enterprise, builds team franchises that may consist of nationals from countries across the globe, based in a particular country. The CPL does not meet the criteria stated above and therefore cannot include the use our beloved country's to distinguish their Red Steel franchise.

All the governments of the region should follow this example.


It's absolutely stupid to refer to these franchises by nationality.  They are not.  It would have been so much better to name the franchises after the cities in which they are based.  Ie. Georgetown Amazon Warriors, Port of Spain Red Steel, St. Johns Hawksbills, Kingston Tallawahs etc.

[quote author=Snoopster link=topic=91189.msg575113#msg575113 date=1405358199]
All the governments of the region should follow this example.


It's absolutely stupid to refer to these franchises by nationality.  They are not.  It would have been so much better to name the franchises after the cities in which they are based.  Ie. Georgetown Amazon Warriors, Port of Spain Red Steel, St. Johns Hawksbills, Kingston Tallawahs etc.
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Totally agree Snoops.

Rev

[quote author=Snoopster link=topic=91189.msg575113#msg575113 date=1405358199]
All the governments of the region should follow this example.


It's absolutely stupid to refer to these franchises by nationality.  They are not.  It would have been so much better to name the franchises after the cities in which they are based.  Ie. Georgetown Amazon Warriors, Port of Spain Red Steel, St. Johns Hawksbills, Kingston Tallawahs etc.

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I agree with your concept, except I would name them after the main sponsers or owners.  These are private teams, so whats wrong with namign the Warriors, the Limocal Amazon Warriors?

The problem with that type of branding Googs is that it alienates the fans and their support.  People are tribal by nature and they tend to gravitate along tribal lines.  Modern sports teams are a prime example of this.  People will more readily support a team with a locality they can associate with than with some product brand name. 

That's why you will never see the Budweiser Nicks, Air Canada Maple Leafs, or Coco Cola Packers.

Good point. 

so whats the difference between using the name of the city vs country? 

If one consider the entire West Indian group one "country" then giving each team names after the countries should be no problem.

TnT bhais dem vex because they felt that they have FINALLY reached the point where they can kick the other teams asses but this franchise cricket structure break them up.  bunch of babies!

[quote author=Goog Lee link=topic=91189.msg575157#msg575157 date=1405360860]
Good point. 

so whats the difference between using the name of the city vs country? 

If one consider the entire West Indian group one "country" then giving each team names after the countries should be no problem.

TnT bhais dem vex because they felt that they have FINALLY reached the point where they can kick the other teams asses but this franchise cricket structure break them up.  bunch of babies!

[/quote]

But truth be told this CPL pales in comparison to the old Stanford and WICB T20 t'ments.

I heard about this on the sports news today. This is just ridiculous and plain stupid. The removal of T&T from the Red Steele is just pure nonsense. I think the minister is hiding the real reason for this removal. They are obviously upset about something.

There should be far more concern about the stupid times that these games are played

Again I say that the Trinidad government is upset with the west indies cricket board or the organizers of the Caribbean premier league about something. That is the most ridiculous reason I have ever heard. Because all the players are not from Trinidad then the name is not to be used? What kind of backward mentality is that in this day and age of sports.