From StabroekNews

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC-The region’s leading pan Caribbean News Agency, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) has thrown its full support behind the first ever Limacol Caribbean Premier league (LCPL) set for an exciting climax in Port of Spain this weekend.

In a statement released on the eve of the eagerly anticipated semi-final matches CMC says its backing the event which has fired up the imagination of the fans since the first ball was bowled last month.

The Bridgetown based organization serving subscribers, within and outside of the region, has acquired rights to distribute the games to the free to air stations around the region.

“These matches are being carried in the territories “LIVE” with the exception of the host territory where they can only be shown “LIVE” only if the stadiums are at least 90% sold out,” the CMC statement said.

“So far all games have been carried LIVE in the host country which we believe speaks to the hype being created”.

Thousands of fans around the region and the world are expected to be glued to their television sets watching the final three matches of the tournament at the Queen’s Park Oval .

“We also note the comments of cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, head coach of the Hawksbills, who praised the massive crowd support noting that it augured well for the future of the Limacol CPL,”the statement said.

CMC says the LCPL is being played at a time when the Caribbean is seeking to refocus on the integration movement with players of various nationalities representing the various franchises based in different states.

CMC also says that it is committed to the regional integration process and sees its role as consistent with the spirit of LCPL which is helping to foster the integration movement.

“Not only is there a Caribbean integration exhibited but the event has attracted players from as far as Australia and Bangladesh,” said CMC. “Joining carnival and cricket has created additional excitement for the people across the region and expands the carnival celebrations”. Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel face the Guyana Amazon warriors in the first semi-final today while Jamaica Tallawahs play Barbados tridents tomorrow.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/sports/08/22/cmc-throws-its-support-behind-lcpl/