Caribbean cricket’s St. Lucia Zouks on fire after purchase by ISH
From Boxscore – World Sportswire
Limacol CPL Attracts International Franchise Buyer
Caribbean Premier League Gros Inlet, St. Lucia (August 1, 2013) – International Sports Holdings Limited (ISH) has confirmed the purchase of the St. Lucia Zouks franchise.
The Singapore-based company is expanding into cricket and other sports franchise opportunities globally. Members of the management team were responsible for the recent acquisition of Glasgow Rangers and have extensive experience with global sports management, franchise operations and investment management.
“The formation of the LCPL T
20 League heralds the arrival of an exciting cricketing format to the Caribbean through a dynamic commercial initiative,” said Fayyaz Alimohamed, CEO of the St. Lucia Zouks franchise. “We hope that this is the start of an expansion of cricket throughout the Americas and we are very pleased to be part of this inaugural Tournament.”
“We are absolutely thrilled that ISH has joined the Limacol Caribbean Premier League franchise family,” said Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the CPL. “ISH and CPL share a vision of nurturing and growing the sport of cricket and bringing a joyous, celebratory form of cricket that is unique to the West Indies to a global audience.”
Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and Founder of the LCPL, commenting on the franchise acquisition said, “We are excited to have ISH own and build the St. Lucia Zouks franchise. ISH brings deep experience in the sports business, and we are excited to see them bring their expertise in globalising the fan base of the St. Lucia Zouks.”
St. Lucia’s Event Operations Officer, Krystal Jean Baptiste, is excited about bringing this new venture to cricket fans throughout the Windward Islands.
“Fans in St. Lucia and around the Windward Islands love their cricket,” said Krystal. “This vibrant, enthralling format, filled with regional and international stars, is likely to create tremendous fan enthusiasm and sold out matches in St. Lucia.”
The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premiere League T20 tournament began on Tuesday, 30 July and concludes on Saturday, 24 August. The SLU Zouks home matches take place on August 6, 8 and 10 against the Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs, respectively.
PHOTO: Fayyaz Alimohamed, CEO of the St. Lucia Zouks franchise (photo courtesy CPL).
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Limacol CPL opening ceremony to excite the senses
Caribbean Premier League: Bridgetown, Barbados – July 30, 2013 – Excitement, passion, colour and the cricketing excellence of the Caribbean will be showcased in one exhilarating package when the much anticipated inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament gets underway with a spectacular opening ceremony tonight, Tuesday, 30 July that will be streamed live on the LCPL website (www.cplt20.com).
Sir Garfield Sobers, arguably the greatest cricketer ever, will be joined by a host of dignitaries and officials – including Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, former Jamaica Prime Minister The Right Honourable PJ Patterson, Chairman of the LCPL Cricket Committee, LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe, Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Digicel, the tournament’s strategic partner and West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron – as he officially declares the tournament open.
Kensington Oval, long considered “the Mecca” of cricket in the region, will be transformed into an array of carnival colour and flamboyance, as 450 costumed junior revellers parade alongside 90 school children adorned in the kits of the six franchise teams. They will be joined by a host of adult revellers, all helping to portray the Carnival atmosphere that the Limacol Caribbean Premier League will be transmitting across the globe in the coming weeks.
Jamaican reggae superstar Konshens and Trinidadian soca artiste KES will add energy to the already electric atmosphere when they deliver some of their biggest hits, before combining to perform the LCPL official anthem “How We Play”. Both artistes represent some of the most popular talent coming out of the Caribbean right now, and are gaining huge traction worldwide.
KES has performed all over the Caribbean, USA, Canada and Europe, also touching parts of Asia (Japan and China), and has opened for acts such as Musiq Soulchild, Sean Paul, Rihanna, John Legend, Maroon 5 and Evanescence. Konshens is just coming off a European tour that included shows in London, Sweden, Germany and Amsterdam, and has developed a large following in Japan.
Barbadian soca diva Allison Hinds – one of the most popular soca singers in the world and known as the Queen of Soca – will also add her special flavour to the evening when she takes to the stage to perform her repertoire of hit songs.
One of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony will be the unveiling of the official Limacol CPL ‘Roots’ Trophy which will be done amidst an electrifying fireworks display.
Speaking about the launch of the tournament, LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe said the energy and flair of the opening ceremony will typify the Limacol Caribbean Premier League and indeed be a fitting way to lift the curtain on the exciting event.
“The Limacol CPL is an historic undertaking, the likes of which the Caribbean has never seen before and as a result, we have pulled out all the stops to ensure the opening ceremony is a memorable one,” O’Donohoe said. “The LCPL will boast some of the finest players in international cricket and we thought it fitting to reflect this level of excellence in the ceremony, while also displaying the passion and the energy synonymous with Caribbean cricket.”
Sir Garry, the legendary former West Indies all-rounder and captain, said he was thrilled to be a part of history again.
“The Caribbean has been waiting for a tournament like this for a long time and I am pleased to see it finally come on stream in such a major way,” said Sir Garry, Barbados’ only living National Hero.
“I think the organisers must be commended for this venture and for putting the Caribbean on par with the international cricket community, with a Twenty20 tournament of this calibre.”
The opening ceremony will get underway at 6:30 pm but gates at the Oval will be open from 4:30 pm, with fans being entertained by DJ music.
Six franchises – Antigua & Barbuda Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, Guyana’s Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel – will contest 24 matches across the six venues.
The final match will take place in Trinidad & Tobago on 24 August.
Virgin on board with Limacol Caribbean Premier League
Sir Richard Branson joins “greatest party in sport”
Organisers of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament are pleased to announce Virgin as a tournament partner for the inaugural event as well as a founding team sponsor for the Antigua Hawksbills franchise team. Virgin, together with Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays and Virgin Media will support the competition which starts in just a couple of days on 30 July 2013.
The partnership covers the league’s six competing franchises as well as making Virgin Atlantic the official airline of the LCPL. Virgin’s efforts will also be very focused on the Antigua Hawksbills, coached by West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards, and offering a host of competitions and prizes to help raise the excitement level even further.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group said: “With cricket fever in full swing, I am delighted to announce Virgin as an official partner of the Antigua Hawksbills in this year’s new Limacol Caribbean Premier League. Twenty20 cricket is always an exciting competition – but in the Caribbean it will surely be the greatest party in sport.
“I’m looking forward to heading over to Antigua to watch the game against the Barbados Tridents on 13th August. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with Sir Viv and it will be one of the last chances to see the great Ricky Ponting bat, alongside some top West Indies talents like Marlon Samuels and Kieron Powell.
The carnival atmosphere in the stadium has to be seen to be believed and we are planning a few special Virgin touches to ensure the party goes on long into the night, long after the game is over.”
CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League Damien O’Donohoe added: “We are thrilled that Sir Richard and the team at Virgin are going to be involved with the League and Antigua Hawksbills this year. We have always said LCPL would be the party everyone wants to be at as we look to create a unique Caribbean experience both on and off the pitch. Virgin will add significantly to that experience and we are excited about the impact our partnership will have for LCPL across the world.”
Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and founder of the LCPL agreed.
“This is further good news for the League as it prepares for the first match on 30th July. It is fantastic to have Virgin involved. It is a great endorsement in terms of what we have created with LCPL and no one understands marketing better than Virgin, so we are delighted to be working with all the group companies in delivering some novel and creative ideas that will benefit the local fans and players.”
LCPL organisers say Virgin has much in store for fans, the details of which will be announced soon.
The inaugural Limacol CPL T20 tournaments bowled off on 30 July in Barbados.
