Two West Indies cricket icons, Sir Gary Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards have been appointed to key roles in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which is underway.
Sir Gary, widely considered the first ever all-rounder in the game’s history was announced as the CPL brand ambassador while, Sir Vivian, one of the game’s most dominant batsmen, will serve as performance director.
“I’ve seen first-hand benefits the CPL have had one the Caribbean. Up and coming youngsters get the chance to play with and against some of the best players in the world and the next generation of cricketers can cheer on their heroes in packed stadiums,” Sir Vivian said.
He said 2014 is going to be bigger and better than last year, so the future is bright for the CPL.
Only this year, Sir Vivian was named mentor to the Antigua Hawksbills, the franchise where he served as team manager in the inaugural edition of the CPL last year.
Sir Gary, meanwhile, said he was keen to get involved in the tournament, now the region’s premier Twenty20.
The CPL recently bowled off in Grenada with three matches at the National Stadium.
Thirty matches will be played over 37 days among the six franchises, before the tournament climaxes with the semi-finals and final in St. Kitts on Aug. 16.
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
