According to official sources, the request is being supported by the St. Kitts Cricket Association which has been given responsibility by the West Indies Cricket Board in Antigua, to host three One Day International matches between West Indies and New Zealand, on Wednesday 11th, Saturday 14th and Monday 16th July.
It is reported that Phillip, invited his Cabinet colleagues to declare Wednesday 11th July a public holiday, citing that the day should serve to boost the attendance of young people, in particular, and cricket fans, more generally, at the cricket matches.
The Minister stated that the growing number of international sporting events taking place in St. Kitts and Nevis augurs well for the social and economic development of the country.
He added that hosting the ODI matches between the West Indies and New Zealand should raise the level of interest in the traditional sport among young people, and in the long-term improving our performance at all levels in the sport of Cricket.
The request to have 11th July declared a public holiday has been supported by the Management Committee of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a wide cross-section of the cricket-loving public, Minister Phillip asserted.
According to a government statement a formal announcement of the declaration will be made in the government’s official Gazette at a later date.