Coolidge, Antigua – July 5, 2007 – Sir Allen Stanford and the Stanford 20/20 Board of Directors announced exciting plans for the 2008 Stanford 20/20 Tournament which include the addition of two new countries to the programme, the dates and fixtures for the competition, the expanded Stanford Super Stars initiative, a Stanford 20/20 TV Show and the promise of a further investment of US$100 Million over the next 3 years.

The news came after the conclusion of a high-level meeting between the Board of Directors and several Government ministers from around the region who were brought in to learn about the preparations being made for the 2008 Tournament and provide input in advance of the plans being made public.  The officials from Antigua, St. Kitts, Guyana, Grenada, Nevis, Bermuda, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten had the opportunity to sit with Stanford, 11 of the 14 legends and Ken Allen QC and hear how the Stanford 20/20 cricket programme will benefit the region and their individual countries both economically and socially.   

“The Board thought it was imperative that we have the support of the governments in the region for the Stanford 20/20 initiative.  After all, it is the cricket programmes in their territories that are benefiting from this investment that Sir Allen is making,” said Rev. Wes Hall, Stanford 20/20 Board member and 2007 Sticky Wicket West Indies Cricket Hall of Fame inductee.  “We want them to buy into this proposal and grasp our vision for West Indies cricket.  There is a strong spirit of inclusion abiding here and we wanted the representatives here today to come in agreement with us on the way forward for cricket in the West Indies.  I feel we have accomplished this and the future of cricket is bright.” 

One of the changes to the Tournament format is the addition of two new countries, Turks & Caicos and Cuba.  Both countries are affiliate members of the ICC since 2002, and play in the ICC Americas Tournament.  Cuba has a very rich cricket history which can be traced back to the 1950s.  Their Under-15 team in particular is thriving.  The Jamaica Cricket Association has a strong relationship with Cuba and has been working closely with the officials over there on their game.   

As was done with the 19 territories already participating in the Tournament, Turks and Caicos will receive US$100,000 in capital investment funding and US$180,000 to spend on players and coaches development and support and maintenance of facilities and equipment.  However, Stanford explained, as a result of policies that prohibit Stanford 20/20 from providing cash to Cuba, the board will be offering support and assistance for that country’s cricket development in other ways to ensure it has the same advantages as the other countries competing. 

Stanford 20/20 has also committed development funding to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico but these countries’ participation in the Tournament itself has been deferred until 2009 when it is expected that they will be able to field a team made up of Dominican and Puerto Rican nationals respectively.   

The dates for the 2008 Tournament – 25th January to 24th February – were also revealed and the fixtures on display.  The random draw was carried out by the legends on Tuesday, 3 July.  One match in particular that is sure to attract much attention will be that of Antigua and Barbuda against the winner of Match 5 (St. Kitts vs. USVI) as the Antigua and Barbuda Stanford 20/20 Professional Team will make its Tournament debut.  Much has been made of this team who is the test case for Sir Allen Stanford’s 20/20 Professional League in the Caribbean.  The team began its training on 2nd July and could be seen at the Stanford Cricket Ground being put through their paces by trainer Jawakie Jones and coach Eldine Baptiste.  

Perhaps the most exciting news was that of the much anticipated Stanford Super Stars Tournament whose programme has been significantly expanded after having been cancelled in 2006.  That Tournament will take place in June 2008 and feature a Super Stars team comprised of the best players from the 20/20 Tournament.  Dependant on ICC and other approvals four ICC teams will be invited to come to Antigua to play against each other in a single elimination knockout competition.  The winner of those matches will play the Stanford Super Stars for a jackpot of US$20 million.   

“I’m committed to this and will be investing a further US$100 Million over the next 3 years and at some point I expect to make a profit, something that needs to happen for the longevity of the programme and will provide essential funding for West Indies Cricket,” a confident Sir Allen said of the two Tournaments.  “I have committed my resources and I believe that within the next three years we will have a world beating West Indies team again.  The Stanford 20/20 programme and the Professional League that we are creating are going to be the instrument that brings about that success, the catalyst that takes us back to the glory days of West Indies cricket.” 

Another addition to the 20/20 programme is a TV show about the Stanford 20/20 and all of the countries involved.  The show will launch on televisions around the region the first week of August and air every two weeks right up until the start of the Tournament in January.  It will feature interesting stories and information about the different Stanford 20/20 participating countries, all of the personalities involved in cricket around the region, stars from the inaugural tournament and the legends.   

Hosted by renowned international cricket personality and last year’s Tournament’s roving commentator, Mike Haysman, viewers will be taken on location around the region and shown unique and interesting features and special interest stories.  There will also be in-depth profiles of the teams and regular appearances by the 14 legends.   

“As you can tell from these plans that we have announced today, we are in this thing for the long haul,” said Sir Allen.  “We are expecting a huge return on our investment of time, resources and money and we believe our investment is a sound one.  I have said over and over that this region has the best cricket players in the world.  We just need to harness this raw talent, steer these players in the right direction, reward their efforts and raise the standard of professionalism all around.  Only then will we see the success that we have been hoping for.  Let’s partner together and make it happen.” 

The government ministers and representatives were also in attendance at the press briefing as were officials from the West Indies Cricket Board and the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association.  

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