Brampton won't host international GT20 cricket tournament this year, mayor says
Brown, who has called Brampton the "cricket capital of Canada," confirmed the cancellation of the GT20 in an interview with CBC Radio's Here and Now this week. Organizers have said the tournament last year attracted tens of thousands of attendees and 150 million worldwide TV viewers.
Brown said the cancellation is a "setback" because it means there won't be international cricket stars playing the game in Brampton this year, but he has high hopes for the future of the sport in the city.
"We're continuing to see new fields built. We're building Canada's first cricket stadium, which will be able to host major international matches, and so, I think there's lots of reason for optimism for cricket in Canada despite the cancellation of this tournament this year," Brown said.
In December, Cricket Canada, a non-profit organization that is the governing body for the sport in Canada, terminated its agreement with Bombay Sports, the company that hosted the tournament last year, due to a breach of contract.
"Despite multiple notifications and opportunities to rectify the defaults outlined in previous correspondence, Bombay Sports has failed to bring its performance in line with the terms set forth in the agreement," Cricket Canada said in a Dec. 23, 2024 news release.
In April, Cricket Canada announced that it had awarded a long-term license to the National Cricket League (NCL) Canada to operate the GT20.
"The agreement solidifies the partnership between Cricket Canada and NCL Canada, reinforcing Canada's position as a burgeoning hub for international cricket," Cricket Canada said in an April 14, 2025 news release.
"Under the NCL's leadership, GT20 is set to become a major driver for both domestic and international cricket in the region, with the long-term vision of developing a sustainable professional cricket ecosystem."
But Arun Agarwal, chairman of NCL Canada, told CBC Toronto in a recent interview that the NCL Canada was not prepared to put on another tournament this year.
"GT20 has some great legacy but last year it had its own challenges," he said.
Agarwal said by the time NCL finished its contracts and got the rights for GT20, it had a choice. It could have put the tournament on in a rush, or it could "take a break for the year, re-strategize, bring new energy around it, put some really amazing stakeholders, put a good advisory board around us."
And then he said it could "take GT20 where it belongs to be," making it "one of the premier tournaments in cricket around the world."
Cricket Canada, meanwhile, continues to deal with controversy. Salman Khan, CEO of the organization, was charged by Calgary police in March with theft and fraud over $5,000. Khan has denied the allegations.
In messages to CBC Toronto, Khan said he is still hopeful that there will be a GT20 tournament after the summer.
For his part, Brown said he's hopeful the developments won't tarnish the future of cricket in the country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
8 minutes ago
- CTV News
Harris throws for three touchdowns, Saskatchewan Roughriders thump B.C. Lions 33-27
Saskatchewan Roughriders' AJ Ouellette, left, carries the ball during the second half of a CFL football game against the B.C. Lions, in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck A dominant performance from quarterback Trevor Harris powered the Saskatchewan Roughriders to 33-27 victory over the B.C. Lions on Saturday. Harris connected on 23 of his 30 passing attempts for 395 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the West Division matchup. Kicker Brett Lauther added four field goals for the Riders (5-1), including a 45-yard strike in the first quarter. There was bad news for Saskatchewan, too, as running back Ka'Deem Carey left the game midway through the third quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return. Nathan Rourke chalked up 337 passing yards with three TDs for the Lions (3-4). The Canadian QB made good on 27 of his 41 attempts, had one interception and was sacked once. The Riders had 506 yards of net offence across the game, compared to 373 yards for the Lions. Saskatchewan struck early on Saturday, with Harris lobbing a rainbow to Dohnte Meyers deep inside Lions' territory less than five minutes into the game. The American receiver nabbed the ball and darted into the end zone for Saskatchewan's first major of the night. B.C.'s troubles deepened on the next play when Seven McGee fumbled the kickoff return and Riders linebacker Jayden Dalke recovered it at the home side's 38-yard line. Lauther capitalized on the turnover with a 45-yard field goal that boosted Saskatchewan's lead to 10-0 midway through the opening frame. The offensive onslaught continued with Harris sailing a 29-yard pass to Joe Robustelli to put the visitors back in scoring position late in the quarter. The quarterback followed up with a short dish to A.J. Ouellette, who dashed five yards into the end zone. Lauther made the convert and the Riders went up 17-1. B.C.'s offence finally found its footing with just seconds to go in the first. Rourke escaped the pocket and fired a 40-yard pass to Ayden Eberhardt, who stepped over the goal line for the Lions' first TD of the night. The two sides traded field goals in the second quarter, with Lauther connecting on 27- and 41-yard attempts and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte sending a 47-yard kick through the uprights. Saskatchewan headed into the locker room up 23-11. The Riders picked up right where they left off out of the break. Less than four minutes into the third quarter, Harris found Meyers deep in the red zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Saskatchewan's biggest problem of the game came midway through the third when Carey was taken down by Lions linebacker Micah Awe, in a play that left the running back writhing on the turf in obvious discomfort. He was eventually helped off the field by two trainers, putting no weight on his right leg. B.C. got a spark late in the quarter when Eberhardt reeled in a 39-yard pass from Rourke. The Lions capped the drive with a gutsy play, going for pay dirt on third down where Rourke sent a rocket soaring to Stanley Berryhill III deep in the end zone. The home side then attempted a two-point convert, a move that paid off when the QB spun off a tackle and connected once again with Berryhill on a three-yard toss that cut Saskatchewan's lead to 33-19. Any faint hope of a late Lions comeback was quashed with just under three minutes on the game clock when Rourke's long bomb to Eberhardt ticked off the fingers of a Riders defender and was intercepted by Marcus Sayles. With 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter, B.C. added one last major with Rourke handing off to Eberhardt and the receiver rushing in for his second TD of the night. Running back James Butler muscled his way through traffic for a two-point conversion that sealed the score at 33-27.
National Post
8 minutes ago
- National Post
Roughriders 33, Lions 27: Saskatchewan offence strikes early and often to thump B.C.
A dominant performance from quarterback Trevor Harris powered the Saskatchewan Roughriders to 33-27 victory over the B.C. Lions on Saturday. Article content Harris connected on 23 of his 30 passing attempts for 395 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the West Division matchup. Article content Article content Kicker Brett Lauther added four field goals for the Riders (5-1), including a 45-yard strike in the first quarter. Article content There was bad news for Saskatchewan, too, as running back Ka'Deem Carey left the game midway through the third quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return. Article content Nathan Rourke chalked up 337 passing yards with three TDs for the Lions (3-4). The Canadian QB made good on 27 of his 41 attempts, had one interception and was sacked once. Article content The Riders had 506 yards of net offence across the game, compared to 373 yards for the Lions. Article content Saskatchewan struck early on Saturday, with Harris lobbing a rainbow to Dohnte Meyers deep inside Lions' territory less than five minutes into the game. The American receiver nabbed the ball and darted into the end zone for Saskatchewan's first major of the night. Article content B.C.'s troubles deepened on the next play when Seven McGee fumbled the kickoff return and Riders linebacker Jayden Dalke recovered it at the home side's 38-yard line. Article content Lauther capitalized on the turnover with a 45-yard field goal that boosted Saskatchewan's lead to 10-0 midway through the opening frame. Article content Article content The offensive onslaught continued with Harris sailing a 29-yard pass to Joe Robustelli to put the visitors back in scoring position late in the quarter. The quarterback followed up with a short dish to A.J. Ouellette, who dashed five yards into the end zone. Lauther made the convert and the Riders went up 17-1. Article content B.C.'s offence finally found its footing with just seconds to go in the first. Article content Rourke escaped the pocket and fired a 40-yard pass to Ayden Eberhardt, who stepped over the goal line for the Lions' first TD of the night. Article content The two sides traded field goals in the second quarter, with Lauther connecting on 27- and 41-yard attempts and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte sending a 47-yard kick through the uprights. Saskatchewan headed into the locker room up 23-11. Article content The Riders picked up right where they left off out of the break. Article content Less than four minutes into the third quarter, Harris found Meyers deep in the red zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Article content Saskatchewan's biggest problem of the game came midway through the third when Carey was taken down by Lions linebacker Micah Awe, in a play that left the running back writhing on the turf in obvious discomfort. He was eventually helped off the field by two trainers, putting no weight on his right leg.
CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
2025 Men's Volleyball Nations League: Ukraine vs Canada
Watch Canada and Ukraine go head-to-head in this Men's Volleyball Nations League match from the Stožice Arena in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
