The ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Trophy arrived in Antigua and Barbuda on
Tuesday to much fanfare and excitement with a welcoming party that included top
government officials, cricket royalty, and representatives of Cricket West Indies
and the Leeward islands Cricket Association.
Antigua and Barbuda was the first stop of the Trophy Tour of all the territories that
will host T20 Cricket matches in this major international sporting event that starts
on June 1.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne officially welcomed the Trophy to Antigua
Tuesday afternoon following a presentation in Barbuda earlier in the day. He said
cricket has the ability to bring the world together at a time when there are worrying
international conflicts.
“Cricket brings communities together and I have no doubt that this T20 World Cup
will bring a number of nations together as we seek to ensure that we have a world
that is peaceful and one in which we continue promote global talents, cricketing
talents and I am hoping to see a number of individuals from the region shine during
this tournament. I’m also hoping that the Trophy will be won by the host Cricket
West Indies,” he remarked.
He expressed a desire to see the West Indies team, once a mighty cricketing power,
return to its glory days. He noted that the talent is there but with application, he is
confident that the West Indies will regain its position at the top.
PM Browne thanked the organisers and wished for an exciting cricket tournament
that will delight cricket lovers here in Antigua and Barbuda and around the globe
where the sports is growing in popularity.
He revealed that the government has invested heavily in the further development of
the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and he expects that the matches staged there will
be world class where the culture of Antigua and Barbuda may come to the fore.
Following his remarks, PM Browne was invited to engage in a photo-op holding
the trophy up for the benefit of the pool of photographers.
In his remarks, Cricket West Indies, Johnny Greaves said it was apt that Antigua
and Barbuda was the first stop on the Trophy Tour as this was the home of West
Indies Cricket. “We are happy to call Antigua and Barbuda our home and we are
also proud of the partnership we have developed with the government and the T20
World Cup is just another example of that partnership where we work to improve
cricket at all levels and to plan events that do much for not just the sport, but for
the overall economy as well,” he stated.
He said the T20 World Cup will bring unprecedented investments in the region, a
huge international viewership as he calls for all of society to embrace the
tournament.
Greaves also described cricket as the world’s second most popular sports giving
the Caribbean an opportunity to showcase all the region has to offer to the rest of
the world.
On hand for the Trophy reception were Sports Minister, Daryl Matthew, Cricket
legends, Sir Andy Robert and Sir Curtly Ambrose, officials of CWI, the LICA,
representatives of the Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism as well as
local organisers and other well-wishers.
