SVG on board for Stanford 20/20 tourney

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association is among several invited territories to respond in the affirmative to the invitation to participate in the lucrative Stanford 20/20 tournament.

The coffers of the association are expected to burst at the seams in the upcoming months as it is in line to receive the initial US$100,000.{{more}}

President of the local association, Julian Jack confirmed last week Wednesday that St.Vincent and the Grenadines is “on board in principle ” with the proposed tournament set for August to September next year.

A buoyant Jack said that his association has already submitted the areas of development which it would like to have addressed.

Allen Stanford, a Texan billionaire living in Antigua for over two decades, earlier this month unveiled a US$28 million plan for the tournament.

As part of the plan, the governing cricket body of each of the participating territories is promised US$100 000, to be used for improvement to facilities, training and development of the team and its members.

Additionally, the various associations are in line for US$10 000 per month to be used as support for players and coaches.

Jack said that his organisation would be meeting soon with the Technical Advisory Board to look into the finer details of the plan.

Concerns have been raised in some quarters over the Stanford initiative with some persons questioning the motive behind the almost unbelievable plan.

But Jack stated that his association backs the plan as “it is for the development of cricket and an opportunity for training and the acquisition of equipment”.

Jack at this juncture sees “no ulterior motive” behind the plan.

He however thought that the revelation of the plan should have come from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) rather than from Stanford himself.

He also foresees collaboration with the WICB which stages the annual regional limited overs competition now known as the KFC Cup, which is held during the month of October.

20/20 cricket is the latest entertainment form that has been added to the sport and the Stanford tournament will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines is among sixteen other countries from the region that have been invited to the tournament with the winner taking home

US $1 million as the top prize. The second place finisher cops US$500 000, with the cricket boards of the two top finishers receiving an additional US$200 000 and US $100 000 respectively.

Air fare, team uniforms and equipment, as well as accommodations will be provided to each participating territory.

Former Antigua, Combined Islands and West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts chairs the Advisory Board.