TTCB – News

QP Oval Cricket Heritage Museum a ‘gem’
January 15, 2010

QUEEN’S Park Cricket Club has officially launched The Oval Cricket Heritage Museum at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

Attending the launch were Minister of Sport, Joseph Ross, permanent secretary, Melba Dedier, president of Queen’s Park Bruce Aanensen, Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Abraham and president of the Trinidad and Tobago In-Coming Tour Operators Association, Lorraine Pouchet.

The Cricket Heritage Museum contains invaluable historical documents charting the progress of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club from their humble beginnings in 1891when it was known as the “Sovereign” Cricket Club as well as West Indian cricket.

Thus far the Ministry of Sport has injected $300,000 to finance the museum as well as train the tour and site guides and produce tour manuals.

Currently tours are done by appointments for a minimum of 10 people. The cost of the tour for foreigners are US$10, local residents $30, children out of school uniform $10 and locals over the age of 65 $15.

Queen’s Park president, Aanensen revealed that the museum currently contains 10 to 15 percent of historical artifacts which the club possesses and will continue to expand with new innovations and plans being prepared.

He noted that expansion of the museum was dependant on space at the Queen’s Park Oval and avenues were being explored to expand the facility.

The Minister of Tourism revealed that museum has exceeded his expectation since opening six weeks ago and if confident that the facility will be the “gem” in the tourism arsenal.

“From fans who just want to see for themselves the Brian Lara Pavilion and its famous bats...to parents and grandparents who want both entertainment and enrichment for their families, to coaches and teachers seeking an inspirational and educational experience… there is hardly anyone out there who is not a potential visitor to the cricket museum at The Oval” said Ross yesterday.

He added that the government rocognises the importance of sport and tourism in boosting the nationals international profile.

“We recognise that a unique opportunity exists for Trinidad and Tobago to capture the attention at the world’s sports market by becoming a venue for high quality high profile events. Major tournaments such as the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup carded to be played here, will not only bring new visitors but will focus world wide publicity on Trinidad and Tobago in part due to the millions of viewers through television and internet coverage,” said Ross.

He revealed that the Ministry of Tourism is targetting cruise ships and has already entered into a partnership which would feature tours while also hoping that school children and the younger generation would benefit from the learning about the rich cricketing heritage.

The Cricket Heritage Museum currently has Brian Lara’s three world record bats which has been leased to them while other various pictures of past matches and members along with vast memorabilia from touring clubs and international teams.