The remaining 15 of the 19 countries participating in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament received their US$100,000 Stanford investment cheques during another grueling regional tour similar to the one undertaken just weeks ago when Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands accepted their monies.
Former WI star Curtley Ambrose, left, greets fans in Anguilla. |
The cricket boards of Antigua, Montserrat, St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, BVI, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados participated in presentation ceremonies hosted by seven cricket legends: Sir Vivian Richards, Joel Garner, Richie Richardson, Reverend Wes Hall, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Curtly Ambrose and Lance Gibbs.
The Stanford 20/20 group travelled to each country on the Stanford 20/20 plane, a new addition to the Caribbean Star Airlines fleet which was unveiled in Antigua on Wednesday, 8 February by Skip Barnett, CEO of Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun Airlines, and will be used to transport some of the teams to and from Antigua in July when the tournament begins [see related story Stanford Tournament Soaring Higher With Unveiling of 20/20 Plane]. Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun Airlines are the official airline sponsors for the competition.
The mood was bright in each country as government officials and cricket board members expressed their appreciation for Stanford’s investment in their cricket programmes, and showed their anticipation of the upcoming tournament in July [see related story Stanford 20/20 Match Schedule Announced].
‘Mr. Allen Stanford’s development plans could not be timelier for the Caribbean region as a whole. The funds are coming in at a time when most cricket associations in the Caribbean are struggling financially,’ said Everton Knight, President of the BVI Cricket Association, whose six-member delegation flew over to St. Thomas, USVI for the cheque presentation ceremony. ‘What we in the British Virgin Islands like most about the Stanford initiative is that the emphasis is on the development of cricket at the grass roots levels. The drive focuses on support for cricketers in terms of coaching, facilities, equipment and prize money for outstanding performances. Hats off to you, Mr. Stanford! Your ingenuity will serve cricket in the region well and go a long way in putting our West Indies team back at the top of world cricket.’
Julian Jack, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, echoed Knight’s sentiments. ‘The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association is happy to participate in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, and we welcome the investment of Stanford Private Wealth Management in the development of cricket in the Caribbean. This form of cricket adds a new dimension to the game in the region and will of course be critical in rekindling interest among spectators. The association considers the investment to be timely, in that it comes at a time when our development plans are about to take off, so this is a boost for us. We can only hope that Mr. Stanford will continue to play an even greater role in the development of cricket in the region.’
Other cricket boards were a bit more exuberant in their praise for Stanford’s overall US$28 million investment, US$6 million of which is going directly toward the development of local cricket programmes. ‘Mr. Stanford’s intervention in West Indies cricket will not only have a positive impact, but it will ensure the survival of West Indies cricket for generations to come!’ exclaimed Cecil Greenidge of the Grenada Cricket Association. ‘This rescue mission from Stanford is just what the doctor ordered. It is a Godsend. Cricket in the West Indies will now survive because of the extraordinary generosity of Mr. Stanford. Long live Allen Stanford! Long live West Indies cricket!’
‘The St. Kitts Cricket Association is proud to be a part of the Stanford 20/20 Tournament which we feel will be of great benefit by fostering a new interest in cricket regionally and throughout the world,’ added Ingleton Liburd, president of the St. Kitts Cricket Association. ‘Mr. Stanford’s investment will help to bring a sense of professionalism to the region’s cricketers and help the islands to develop first class cricket facilities. The St. Kitts Cricket Association is quite happy to receive these funds that will help in the development of a first class ground and to purchase much needed equipment. Our participation in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament has already seen an added interest in cricket by young nationals.’
Stanford 20/20 Tournament creator Allen Stanford was not able to participate personally on this tour or hear the accolades being poured upon him as he is in Washington, D.C. where he is being presented with the Excellence in Leadership Award 2006 by the Inter-American Economic Council on 9 February 2006 at a gala. United States President George W. Bush and the First Lady are the honourary chairs for the event, which is being held at the Organization of American States (OAS).
The Excellence in Leadership Award is presented to an individual each year that has done the most to promote public/private sector cooperation for business and economic development in the countries of the Western Hemisphere.
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