St. John’s, ANTIGUA – Following a recent announcement by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon Gaston Browne, that it will partner with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on the acquisition of the Sticky Wicket facility, there is more support for cricket.
Sport Minister, E.P. Chet Greene in a media briefing this morning (July 5) pledged his government’s support for the hosting of the 4th Annual WICB/WIPA Awards ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 in St. John’s, Antigua. The Minister sees the awards as an additional event in promoting the island as a sport tourism destination.
The Minister was fresh from his trip where he and a team, including Sir Vivian Richards toured sections of the USA to promote Antigua’s hosting of the first test between West Indies and India (July 21 – 25).
CEO of WICB, Michael Muirhead, says “the three winning teams will be celebrated at this event, the under 19 men; women’s and men’s Twenty20 along with the top regional performers.” Additionally, the CEO hailed the partnership with the government as “timely” as the Board prepares for a much longer-term relationship with the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Patterson Thompson, WIPA Executive thinks “hosting the awards in Antigua is an opportunity for businesses in Antigua to get more involved in the sport.”
The awards ceremony is just two days before the start of the first of four tests in a series with West Indies vs India. The event will have live and delayed television broadcast and those details will be announced shortly.