From Daily FT

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 bowls off on 30 July in Barbados.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.ft.lk/2013/07/30/virgin-on-board-with-limacol-caribbean-premier-league/