St. Johns, Antigua – Antiguan businessman and developer Allen Stanford has announced the creation of a unique regional cricket tournament that promises to revitalise the game of cricket in the Caribbean, revive the waning spirits of West Indies cricket fans everywhere and perhaps, most importantly, financially reward the performances of teams and individuals.
Hopes are high for Caribbean cricket with the announcement of a new ambitious regional tournament. |
Before a group of international and regional cricket media on Monday, and surrounded by 12 West Indies cricket legends at The Pavilion Restaurant in Antigua, Stanford presented the details of the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, which will take place annually beginning in August and September of 2006 and feature 17 Caribbean countries all vying for the top spot and the top prize: US$1 million!
Stanford explained that the tournament will be a single elimination knock out competition where the winning team will receive US$1 million and the second place finisher US$500,000; the cricket boards of the top two teams will receive US$200,000 and US$100,000 respectively which must be used toward the development and improvement of the cricket facilities in those countries. In addition, the Man of the Match in every game will receive US$25,000 and the Man of the Match in the championship game will receive US$100,000.
‘I have been a part of the Caribbean community for over 20 years and I have witnessed firsthand the power that the game of cricket wields over the people in this region. West Indies Cricket is an almost tangible force which can unify an entire country, an entire group of people, no matter the differences that might exist off the field. The energy, the pride, the passion that cricket has inspired in the people of the Caribbean is not only moving but infectious,’ said Stanford. ‘In recent years however, I’ve also observed the decay of these emotions, a slow erosion of faith in the sport which has given way to feelings of disillusionment and low expectations. My vision for the Stanford 20/20 Tournament is that it will be the catalyst for a resurgence of love for the game, that it will signal the return to the glory days of cricket. I want to create a professional Super League where West Indian cricketers can do what they do best, playing with their fellow countrymen and against their Caribbean counterparts and be rewarded for excellence.’
Stanford also unveiled a US$28 million budget that will be invested in cricket in the region over the coming months up to November 2006. At that time, he explained, a Stanford Super-Star team will be selected by the legends to play one match each against two world-class teams to be named. This will be a winner-takes-all competition and the grand prize in each match will be US$5 million.
In order to create an atmosphere for each of the nations to excel within the tournament and to ensure their long-term development, Stanford has included over $5 Million in support for them, financially and otherwise. Each country’s governing cricket body will receive US$100,000 upon its confirmation of participation to be used for facilities improvement, training and other development of the team and its members. An additional US$10,000 stipend per month will be given to support the players and coaches, and US$5,000 per month will be disbursed to be used strictly for maintenance and upkeep of each country’s facilities. Stanford will also be hiring two full-time nutritionists and four professional athletic trainers to travel around the region regularly in order to train the teams and assist them wherever needed.
According to Stanford, the logistics of the tournament will be left to a Technical Advisory Board, chaired by former West Indies great Andy Roberts, and comprised of professionals in the sport including an ICC-sanctioned umpire and a statistician. The board will deal with any team issues, and manage the technical aspects of the competition, such as the random drawing of the teams which will face each other in the tournament, and the setting out of the rules and regulations. The drawing as well as all the matches will be available for live television coverage in each of the 17 participating countries, and potentially elsewhere around the world.
‘We realise that the 20/20 style of play is relatively new to the game of cricket, but it is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide with both the fans and the players themselves,’ he remarked. ‘We will be experimenting with different formats with a view to improving the quality of the game without compromising its integrity and credibility. I can assure you that this tournament will be exciting and entertaining for players and spectators alike.’
Stanford has enlisted the support of 14 cricket legends who will act as ambassadors for the tournament, advancing the philosophy behind the event and assisting with the promotion of the competition throughout the region. Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Ian Bishop, Sir Everton Weekes, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Joel Garner, Wes Hall, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Andy Roberts have all agreed to be spokespersons for the Stanford 20/20, and will play a very visible role at the matches and public relations events. All but two, Joel Garner and Andy Roberts, were present at the launch announcement.
‘I am thrilled to have the backing of these great men of cricket,’ Stanford stated. ‘It was the amazing talent of these legends which propelled West Indies cricket to the heights of success in years past, and the memories of their athletic triumphs, collectively and as individuals, which have motivated aspiring cricketers and sustained West Indies fans even as the game is experiencing a bit of decline, both in interest and number of victories. In my opinion, their involvement ensures this tournament’s success, and I look forward to working with them toward that end.’
The 17 countries which have been invited to participate in the competition are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago. All have confirmed their interest. Airfare sponsored by Stanford-owned Caribbean Sun and Caribbean Star Airlines, team uniform and equipment, expenses and accommodations will be provided for each team.
‘We are privileged to be a part of the Stanford 20/20 Caribbean Cricket Tournament. Since its inception, the airlines have been heavily involved in supporting both sporting and cultural events throughout the region, and this dynamic initiative by Mr. Stanford falls directly into the airlines’ long-term vision,’ said Mr. William ‘Skip’ Barnette, President and CEO of Caribbean Star & Caribbean Sun Airlines. ‘Just as cricket unites the Caribbean through sport, the airlines unite the region through affordable and convenient travel. This sponsorship is a demonstration of the airline’s commitment to the game of cricket, having transported a number of junior and professional teams over the past five years.’
Ken Gordon, President of the West Indies Cricket Board and Chris Dehring, CEO of Cricket World Cup 2007, although unable to attend, both called in during the press conference to express their support of the tournament and congratulate Stanford.
‘I would like to be one of the first of many to congratulate Mr. Stanford for his foresight, his vision for cricket in the Caribbean, and for his willingness to invest in, and develop the sport by establishing this tournament’ said Dehring. ‘The idea of a Caribbean all-star cricket team is not a new one but it has taken someone with Mr. Stanford’s resources and passion to bring it to fruition and I thank him for it.’
The first match of the Stanford 20/20 Tournament takes place in August 2006 at the Sticky Wicket in St. Johns, Antigua.
For more information about the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, call 345.946.8822 or email [email protected]
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