Irish to step in as WI ‘godfather’

WEST Indies cricket is set to be bankrolled by Irish-based telecoms provider Digicel. This report comes hot on the heels of the shock termination on Friday of the sponsorship of the home series of the regional team by Cable and Wireless. The severing of ties came after a record-breaking 20-year association between Cable and Wireless and the West Indies team, the longest in modern cricket. It is understood that because of the declining fortunes of the West Indies team in recent years, Cable and Wireless were forced to shift their investments into more “strategic” areas.
    
A media release issued by Cable and Wireless’ Usman Sadaat, Vice-President, Marketing, for the Eastern Caribbean said the company wanted to explore other opportunities outside of sports. In future Cable and Wireless hope the new opportunities, outside of West Indies cricket will deliver tangible benefits to the communities they serve. “We are already in discussions with some other interested parties,” said Darren Millien, head of WICB marketing. Millien was unwilling to confirm rumours that telecommunications provider Digicel was close to signing on as sponsors of the home tours. Irish-owned Digicel have already pledged to sponsor regional football’s Caribbean Championship.

British telecommunications giant Cable and Wireless decided to end their 20-year stake in the national  team’s home Test series following the end of a three-year, US$10 million contract. They announced on Friday that they would not renew their sponsorship. The West Indies Cricket Board are also looking for a new sponsor for the regional one-day tournament, the Red Stripe Bowl, after the Jamaican brewery declined to renew their contract. Cable and Wireless, who provide services for at least 15 Caribbean nations, have signed on to sponsor the 2007 World Cup and signed endorsement contracts with nine of the West Indies’ top players, including captain Brian Lara.