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There are some questions in life that don't require a detailed explanation — a simple yes or no answer will suffice. I believe it was former First Lady Nancy Reagan, wife of the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan who coined the phrase 'just say no' in her quest to encourage young people to stay away from the scourge of drugs.

This makes perfectly good sense to me because often when one enters into a debate regarding anything which in and of itself is wrong and will in the long run be detrimental to society he merely adds legitimacy to it.

Unfortunately those who take such a stand are often branded cowards, narrow-minded or dogmatic in their views simply because they refuse to engage.

Fortunately there are a number of reasons Cabinet should give in turning down Get Fit Foundation chief executive Keith Pont's proposal asking for future government sponsorship of the 20-20 Classic.

Let me say first of all that like most other people I enjoyed the competition and was very impressed with the transformation of the National Sports Centre into what I said at the time was the best cricket facility in the island.

However, there are several reasons why it would be wrong for government to invest tax payer dollars in holding future tournaments.

First of all, the event is not economically viable. For the huge investment required there are minimal returns.

I am not surprised that this is so because there is no way that such an event will attract the number of overseas visitors needed to make it worthwhile.

One must remember that it is basically a Goldie-Oldie tournament and most cricket fans prefer to spend their hard earned money watching the stars of today rather than those of yesterday, particularly when it involves traveling to another country.

Second, what real benefit is it to Bermuda cricket, other than providing a few practice matches for our national squad there is little to be gained? Financially, any profit made goes to the GEFF group so the BCB doesn't make money out of it. In fact, during an interview on a local talk show Keith Pont was asked how much of the profit made was going to local charities. Of course, he diplomatically limited his response to the fact that the venture was a costly one.

Third, 20-20 cricket is not the way to go if you want to develop your cricket, it's primary role is to promote the game because it is short, involves plenty of big hitting and hype.

In order to develop good cricketers you must be prepared to provide them with time at the wicket, in the field or on the ball. That is the only way they will learn to play the game as they should, so the longer version of the game is required. If those in positions of authority believe the 20-20 format could serve as a vehicle to promote the game of cricket on the island I would suggest that the BCB stage its own 20-20 international competition.

Canada, Cayman Islands and the United States could be invited to the island to compete in a quadrangular competition.

It could be organized along the same lines as the Classic at far less expense. I believe the crowds, which will primarily be Bermudian, would come out because they desire to see their own national team perform. Most people would agree that the final would never have been so well attended had Bermuda not been in it.

Perhaps it might be advisable to tell Mr. Pont and the GEFF group that it is not possible to back his event next year but Bermuda would be happy to look into the possibility of hosting the event on its tenth anniversary![[In-content Ad]]

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