Hall Backs CMC in TV Negotiations
Wed, Jan 22, '03
With live television coverage of the 2003 World Cup still in the dark, president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Wes Hall has promised to do all he can so that Caribbean cricket lovers can see the regional team in action.
This was revealed yesterday during the announcement that the LNM Group will be the official sponsor of the West Indies cricket team to the Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Less than two weeks after the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) backed out of negotiations with the American rights holders and advised their regional clients to enter into their own negotiation, CMC has been mandated by Caribbean broadcasters to secure a deal urgently.
"I will certainly make representations on behalf of CMC and certainly six million West Indians because we want to see the World Cup," Hall said.
"Therefore I am quite prepared to put my head on a block in supporting them (CMC)," he added.
Hall welcomed the LNM Group and said that the financial support for West Indies cricket from the private sector was greatly appreciated.
He said that there is a positive commitment from the players now taking part in a training camp in Antigua and this sponsorship will go a long way for the West Indies team.
Although officials of the LNM and the WICB failed to state the cost of the sponsorship, Roger Braithwaithe said that it is much higher than the normal sponsorship for touring teams. In 1994, a member of the group, Caribbean Ispat Limited sponsored the team during their tour of India, to the tune of $200 000, with several other monetary incentives.
Hall also indicated that all members of the Windies team would share in the sponsorship but there are reports that the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) is unhappy with the way the money will be split.
During the Cricket World Cup 2003, the West Indies team will participate in promotional activities and display the LNM Group logo on their competition uniforms.
* SOURCE: Guyana Chronicle.