NewsAmericas, TORONTO, Canada, Tues. Aug. 26, 2014: Four of the biggest names from the West Indies international cricket team have signed a historical deal that will make them co-owners and stakeholders in the exciting new Canadian Premier League T20.
West Indies one-day international (ODI) Captain Dwayne Bravo, Test Captain Denesh Ramdin, opening batsman Kieran Powell and former Captain and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, have signed one of the most lucrative ventures in T20 cricketing history by becoming owner stakeholders of the forthcoming North American League.
The deal arrives ahead of the countdown to the inaugural tournament, with officials this week announcing that the tournament will commence on August 1st, 2015.
Mr. Roy Singh, CEO and Chairman of the Canadian Premier League T20, is shortly expected to announce details of where the tournament will kick-off its inaugural season. The 10-team League will consist of professional cricketers from around Canada, alongside global cricketing superstars from across the world, League officials confirmed.
On the eve of his signing as co-owner and stakeholder of the League, 29 year old Denesh Ramdin, the right-handed batsman and recently appointed West Indies Test team Captain, stated, “I fully support the growth and development of international-calibre T20 cricket through the Canadian Premier League and the direction being taken by Roy Singh, the League’s founder and CEO.”
Ramdin, who has played domestically for his national team, Trinidad and Tobago, for the past decade and also captains the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise in the Caribbean Premier League tournament, added: “Roy has the vision, determination and drive to make this League truly successful and sustainable and I am thrilled to be coming on board as part of such a pioneering venture for the North American market.”
Like Ramdin, Kieran Powell has also been appointed a co-owner and stakeholder in the League and is looking forward to playing a crucial role in the tournament.
“These are exciting times for T20 cricket and it takes a visionary like Roy Singh to introduce this unique and exhilarating form of the game to the region, in what will be a first for this part of the world” said Powell, 24, one of the most exciting young West Indies stars to emerge in recent times. “It is indeed a privilege to be part of the Canadian Premier League.”
The teammates’ sentiments were echoed by West Indies ODI Captain, Dwayne Bravo, undoubtedly one of the most electrifying and in-demand names in global T20 cricket today.
“The Canadian Premier League is already creating waves of excitement within the international cricketing community,” said Powell. “What makes the League stand out is Roy Singh’s brilliance and initiative in carving out a niche market in this region and ensuring that the business model surrounding his League is based on longevity that centers around a real passion for growth and development of the game. I am looking forward to being part of this powerful venture.”
ABOUT THE CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Mr. Roy Singh, founder, chairman and CEO of the Canadian Premier League, conceptualized and created the Canadian Premier League in the summer of 2012 after recognizing the opportunity to expand cricket in Canada through the excitement and exhilaration of a glamorous Twenty20 League.
The purpose of the Canadian Premier League is to serve as a training ground for developing professional cricket players, coaches and personnel on and off the field and to that aim, emphasis will be placed on fundamental development, career advancement and community involvement. The League will bring about its ‘vision declaration’ by providing cricket enthusiasts with a fast paced, fan-friendly professional sporting event always at affordable prices.
To this end, Singh said the League is also looking to build a 35,000 seat state of the art indoor cricket stadium in Canada. The stadium would be the first purpose-built covered cricket facility in the world with a natural grass field and a fixed roof, according to those behind the project. It would be made available for use year-round and host international matches.
“CDN$700 million has already been raised for this,” said Singh, while noting that the group is currently in discussion with economic development officials from various municipalities within Greater Toronto who are extremely interested in having the stadium.
“With this financing we can now move to the next phase of selecting a site and securing further investors for this ambitious project,” he added. “It’s incredible to think there isn’t a stadium anywhere in North America where an internationally-sanctioned cricket match can be played. My vision is to change this with a world-class show for what we anticipate will be a world-wide television audience.”
The Canadian Premier League’s management committee includes: Roy Singh, the highly successful Toronto-based entrepreneur who serves as CEO and Chairman; former West Indies Cricket Captain, Shiv Chanderpaul, a director of the company; West Indies cricketing superstars, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin and Kieran Powell, who will serve as co-owners; former Toronto Star reporter, Bob Mitchell who has been appointed President; and Emma Everett, Managing Agent to Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Kieran Powell; and Sir Richie Richardson, who will serve as Head of Global Player Operations.
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