Cable and Wireless break silence

TELECOMMUNICATIONS provider Cable and Wireless, at the centre of a raging controversy between the West Indies Players Association and the regional Cricket Board, have applauded the recent judgment by an arbitrator affirming the rights of the cricketers. It is the first public comment by the England-based company in the row which has threatened to jeopardise the upcoming West Indies involvement in a triangular limited overs tournament in Australia. Leading Test players including double world-record holder Brian Lara of Trinidad and Tobago had refused sign an invitation letter to attend a three-week training camp ahead of the tournament after the WIPA had charged that it infringed on the players’ rights to their image.

Many West Indies players have personal endorsement contracts with Cable and Wireless who have given way recently as regional team sponsors to rival telecomunications outfit Digicel, who are based in Ireland. But in a full page advertisement in a daily newspaper yesterday, Cable and Wireless commended the judgment of Justice Adrian Saunders who had been appointed arbitrator in the controversy by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, acting in his capacity as chairman of the region’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket. “We are pleased with the adjucators’s ruling affirming players’ rights, and look forward to further resolution of remaining issues,” the advertisement titled “Fours and Sixes” stated. Cable and Wireless also explained that their personal sponsorship arrangements with seven top regional cricketers including Lara, Guyana’s Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle of Jamaica are  an expansion of their support of the game.

And that the contracts are consistent with the best practices in other major sports in the world, fully utilising the sponsorship rights under the World Cup contract (which does not include the right to use player images and attributes). The advertisement describes Cable and Wireless as “a longtime and continuing supporter of West Indies cricket” who feel it is important to present some significant facts and comment on the recent decision regarding the players’ rights/contract dispute between the WICB and WIPA. The ad traces the history of Cable and Wireless’ association over the past 18 years with the game in the region  — “ the best and worst of times.” It points out that the company has been involved in the longest running cricket sponsorship in the world.

This also involved investments in regional training, development programmes and funding to charities in seven Caribbean countries through the Cable and Wireless Charity Fours and Sixes. “In fact thousands of young children around the Caribbean have been able to experience their first cricket match seated, with our compliments in the C&W Children’s Stand,” the advertisement proclaims. Over the years, the company’s support of the game has grown tremendously in scope, size and depth and in the past ten years alone they have invested over US $35 million in West Indies cricket, it was stated. Over the next three years, one of Cable and Wireless’ most significant and exciting partnerships will be the sponsorship of the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

“The decision to make this substantial investment in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is part of a long-term goal to elevate the sport in the region for both fans and players alike,” the ad states. “And although we have decided to relinquish our sponsorship of the West Indies team to focus on helping to make the international event a world showcase for the Caribbean, we are continuing out traditional sponsorship of youth, student and amateur programmes,” Cable and Wireless assured. The company says they understand the integral importance of the game for West Indians not just financially but culturally and remain committed to its development. “We have a profound belief that West Idies cricket will regain prominence on the world stage and we are proud to continue to play a role in its resurgence in the future,” the advertisement ended.