IT’S being described as a much needed shot in the arm for the development of youth cricket in the Windward Islands.
The Windward Islands Lotteries Inc., which operates lottery services in the four islands and the Windward Islands Cricket Board, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to sponsor the 2015 under-15 and under 19 cricket competitions, to be played in St. Lucia from April 1 – 8.
The agreement was signed last week by the chairman of WINLOTT Inc., Murray Bullock, and the president of the Windwards Board, Emmanuel Nanthan, following a meeting in Barbados.
Under the agreement, WINLOTT Inc., will provide EC$200,000, with $100,000 allocated to meet the expenses of each competition. This is a one year agreement, but is subject to an extension.
Both parties have agreed that this sponsorship is critical for the development of cricket in the region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bullock said that his organisation was simply fulfilling one of its social mandates, by contributing to the development of youth cricket in the sub region. “Cricket is an important sport for our young people, and my organisation is proud to be making this contribution at a time like this”, Bullock said.
Nanthan welcomed the contribution by WINLOTT Inc. “It is pleasing to see regional organisations coming forward to fund aspects of our cricket, and WINLOTT Inc., must be highly commended for this development”. WINLOTTInc also partnered with the WICBC as the sponsor of the Windwards T20 tournament for four years, from its inception in 2010 until 2013.
Christopher Henry Gayle, OD is a Jamaican cricketer who plays international cricket for the West Indies. Gayle captained the West Indies’ Test side from 2007 to 2010. Considered one of the greatest batsmen in limited-overs cricket, also regarded as the best T20 batsman ever.