Unprecedented Radio coverage for Regional Super50

Oct 19, 2011 Sports

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As teams battle for Clive Lloyd Trophy from tomorrow

By Sean Devers
The Regional Super50 cricket competition set from tomorrow to October 29 in Guyana was officially launched yesterday at the Princess Hotel and former Guyana and West Indies Skipper Clive Lloyd said while it is always a pleasure returning home, this time was even more special since the winning trophy has been named after him.
The 67-year-old Lloyd who led the West Indies during the glory days of the 1980s and averaged 46.67 with 19 centuries from 110 Tests, commended the WICB for not only honoring him but other former West Indies players Richie Richardson, Jeffery Dujon, Courtly Ambrose, ‘Gus Logie and Collis King whose names will be affixed to the tournament’s five individual awards.
“It should be exciting! I am looking forward to seeing Chris Gayle and (Lendl) Simmons opening while I have seen a few talented young players who can help to take West Indies cricket forward even if it takes some time to do so. I hope this (Super50) can be the start of great things as we aim to get back to the days West Indies fans were accustomed to,” the powerful left-hander said.

A Director of the WICB, Lloyd feels things are being put in place for the development of West Indies cricket and said the HPC Centre in Barbados and the frequent ‘A’ team tours are important aspects of the improvement of cricket in the Region.
“No longer do touring teams play against the Regional teams when they visit the West Indies so ‘A’ team tours are very important to keep the players not on the Test team involved and even though it sometimes seem that we move one step forward and two backwards, we have to back our players and they should know that the WICB support them,” Lloyd disclosed.
President of the GCB Ramsay Ali assured that all systems are in place for a successful tournament and revealed that $3 Million was spent on large covers from Trinidad while he added that the extra covers at the Stadium will be used at the match and practice venues to combat the possibility of rain.
Ali, the Vice-President at GCC, said the main problem at Bourda (one of three grounds in Demerara being used for the competition) is the drainage and hopes that the relevant authorities address that problem since he claimed from March next year first-class facilities will be available at GCC to play night cricket.
“We (GCC) have already invested in a loan and made a down payment for the lights since we feel having night cricket at Bourda can help us get back some of the members, advertisement boards and other revenue we lost due to the construction of the National Stadium in 2006,” Ali said.
Ali said that Berbicians always provide large crowds for cricket and after Albion’s poor outfield ruled out a match being played there the decision was made to have Guyana play Barbados on Sunday at Blairmont in the only ‘out-of-town’ game due to the expected crowd support for the local team and to give Berbicians a chance to enjoy Regional cricket live.
“Admission to all of the preliminary round games is free except the one at Blairmont where $500 will be charged since an extra cost was incurred to have the match up there,” Ali said.
Ali said that $1000 will be charged for the semi-finals and final which are Day/Night games from 13:330hrs at Providence Stadium and disclosed that two main promotional campaigns have been put in place for the eight-team competition.
The WICB Director explained that the GCB with the help of local sponsors have embarked on a campaign to get the local fans behind the Guyana team with commercials identifying who and where they will be playing with special emphasis on the Guyana, Barbados match in Berbice. The WICB is funding the other promotional campaign which covers the entire tournament.
Regional Radio network Line & Length is partnering with NCN Radio and unprecedented coverage of all the games will be done for listeners in Guyana and the entire region.
Commentator Andrew Mason of Line & Length said that a big task is putting together commentary teams when two matches are being played on the same day but said he was satisfied that Guyana has enough good commentators to cover the games without having to bring in too many others. This he said helps with the cost at a time when Regional Stations are not are being asked to ‘pay a cent’ for the broadcast and also provides exposure for the local commentators.
Barry Wilkinson, Line & Length’s Executive Producer, said sponsors play a massive role in keeping cricket ‘on the air’ and available for the West Indian fans outside of the Region through the internet and thanked Princess Hotel for their continued support. Leisure Inn and Car Rentals in Delph Street, Campbellville, also continues to provide sponsorship support for the overseas members of the Line & Length team by providing them with a vehicle for the duration of the tournament.
John Ramsingh of NCN said the state-owned radio station recognizes the need to support cricket at all levels adding that support for the GCB commercials has been provided by NCN.
He also encouraged the local business community to take advantage of the reduced rates for commercials for the Regional Super50 competition to support cricket while at the same time promoting their business especially since the usually busy ‘end of the year’ period’ is approaching.
Nadine Hing, Princess Hotel’s Marketing Manager said the Hotel was as usual pleased to be associated with cricket, which she said is the main unifying activity for the Caribbean people and thanked the Line & Length Network for once again choosing the Princess Hotel.
Guyana face the Windwards at Providence and Barbados battle HPC at Everest from 09:00hrs in today’s matches and the competing teams were a part of last night’s welcome function at GCC.

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