‘Sportainment’ to ignite T20 World Cup today

Apr 30, 2010 News

International reggae artistes, Mr. Vegas (left) and Shaggy (right) pose with ICC Tournament Director, Robert Bryan and Andrea Liburd – Project Officer Corporate Hospitality, after their press conference yesterday at the Princess Hotel.

– Shaggy, Vegas, Fay-Ann set to perform at Providence

By Edison Jefford

It’s hype, it’s energy, it’s Twenty/20 Cricket of the highest standard, live in Guyana, under the theme ‘Bring It’ and there could not have been a better venue for the performances of international Reggae and Soca artistes, Shaggy, Mr. Vegas and Fay-Ann Lyons than the Party Stand.
More than half of the ‘Grass Mound’ at the National Stadium at Providence is expected to be transformed into a party atmosphere today when the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty/20 tournament opens with customary Caribbean flair.
Tournament Director, Robert Bryan introduced the ‘Sportainment’ concept that combines sports and entertainment yesterday at a Press Conference held at Princess Hotel to highlight the three artistes that will perform at the Stadium today.
“What does entertainment have to do with the event? Twenty/20 Cricket combines the best of entertainment with cricket and there is a new word to describe the product, which is ‘sportainment’ and this event is driven by a well organised ‘sportainment’ element,” Bryan informed.
The ICC official said that ‘sportainment’ seeks to position the event in an atmosphere where cricket lovers can have fun. He said that the Reliance Dancers, who carry the brand of a major international sponsor, will ensure that spectators in the party stand have a truly unique experience.
“If you are missing the matches of the ICC Twenty/20 tournament, you are missing what is going to be a truly unique experience. We expect the top performances and high energy of our superstar artistes to add great value to our creative energy which ranks and stands with any product in the world,” Bryan continued.
He said that both Vegas and Lyons have been travelling across the Caribbean ‘Bringing It’ so much that they can now be easily associated with the tournament. He said that the song adequately communicates the message of excitement.
Asked if he is prepared to hype the massive crowd expected at the venue today, Jamaican international artiste, Mr. Vegas said that his reputation and previous performances in Guyana speak for themselves and it will be no different.
“My past performances here in Guyana speak for itself. I think that is the reason why myself and Fay Ann were asked to do the theme song, we want to create that whole energy. Tomorrow (today) will be nothing less,” Vegas indicated.
“From travelling around the whole region to perform the song; you know we been to Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Trinidad and you know, we were just ‘Bringing it’ to all of the Caribbean, tomorrow (today) will be nothing less, it’s party time and cricket time in Guyana, we know the Guyana people love their cricket so we are just going to ‘Bring it’”, the reggae sensation added.
It was earlier revealed that Fay-Ann could not make it to the press conference because of unforeseen difficulties. However, the other two artistes adequately addressed her absence after Shaggy reiterated the perfect combination of music and sport.
“Music and sports… it’s wonderful when both of them are merged together and on this occasion, it’s perfect. I have worked with Fay-Ann before, and we have Vegas on a perfection combination. We shall bring it just as much as the cricket is bringing it,” Shaggy told the local and international media.
Shaggy said that the theme of the song captures the party vibes of the Caribbean people and with his, Vegas and Fay-Ann’s acts, he anticipates an entertaining setting that will aptly coincide with the on-field entertainment.