BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Guyana Amazon Warriors player Lendl Simmons last week took possession of a piece of land here even as a local politician protested it being awarded to the Trinidad and Tobago cricketer.
The piece of land in Beaumont Park, valued in excess of US$400 000 was the award for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Man of the Tournament 2014. Simmons took the honours with 446 runs at an average of 49.56 and a strike rate of 128.90.
Beaumont Park is a 350-acre property located on the slopes of a mountain with lush tropical vegetation in the northwest of the island, only 30 minutes from the international airport. Described as one of the most exclusive developments in the region, Beaumont Park includes one and two bedroom apartments as well and two and three bedroom villas and boasts unique amenities such as a racing track, polo club, spa, casino, a boutique hotel and restaurants.
But opposition politician Chesley Hamilton, a former chairman of the People’s Action Party, has criticised Prime Minister Denzil Douglas for the action, as St Kitts was struggling to come to terms with its international debt.
“This man Dougie (Prime Minister Denzil Douglas) is doing as he pleases, we have people here struggling and he is giving away money and land just so,” declared Hamilton.
“We understand that bringing CPL here is an advantage, but we have to understand what we have and what we can afford.”
By winning the award, Simmons is eligible to become a citizen since an investment of over $250 000 in the financial sector or in real estate is required.
“This is a most amazing prize for the Man of the Tournament and testament to the support of the people and businesses across St Kitts and Nevis for CPL, for which, on behalf of the entire CPL family, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks,” said CPL CEO, Damien O’Donohoe.
The Man of the Tournament winner is decided by a closed voting system by each of the six-team mentors, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts, Courtney Walsh, Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge. (CPLt20.com/CMC)
