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Carib Beer Proud Sponsors of Windies at ICC 20/20 Cricket World Cup

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Sept 7, 2007

Carib Brewery will be the official sponsors of the West Indies team at the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 in South Africa.

The sponsorship deal was announced Friday at a media conference at the Queen's Park Oval here. It was attended by Paul Skinner, commercial manager of the WICB, who was filling in for WICB president Dr. Julian Hunte who is currently at an ICC meeting in South Africa.

Skinner thanked Carib Brewery for stepping up their support of West Indies cricket and said sponsorship is critical to providing funds for the continued development of the game in the region.

"With the six territorial Boards and fifteen territories that make up the WICB, the West Indies represents a complex and culturally diverse environment different to all other cricketing nations throughout the world.

"It is therefore commendable and worthy of note that we have managed to achieve the level of success we have had so far, and with continued support from sponsors like Carib, the necessary development programs required to improve the current standard of our cricket in the region can be implemented," Skinner said.

"These programs are central to us once again enjoying the successes of the eighties and it will require the support of all stakeholders in this game we love so much. Stakeholders like the governments, sponsors like Carib, the territorial boards, the countless volunteers who assist throughout the region, the media, the players, to the fans, for whom we play - these are all very important cogs in sustaining the game in the region and we thank you for your support."

"I would also like to encourage other corporate entities to follow the sterling example set by Carib and support cricket in the region either at the local or regional level through the WICB. Cricket is the one sport that unites us as a region and if we are to rise again to the pinnacle of world cricket, the commitment of all stakeholders previously mentioned would be required," Skinner concluded.

Former West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, who represented the West Indies Players Association in the absence of president Dinanath Ramnarine, agreed with Skinner.

"Funding is essential to the survival of the game of cricket and WIPA is very pleased indeed to have Carib on board to assist us," Dillon said.

"We would especially like to thank Colin Murray the sponsorship manager at Carib for his tireless efforts in integrating his company with sports in the Caribbean.

"We need others to come on board and assist, as this is the only way that cricket in the Caribbean can return to the top." Marketing director at Carib, Carla Furlonge-Walker said her company was happy to sponsor the West Indies team at the World Twenty20 tournament and privileged to continue the extensive association with the West Indies cricket team.

She reminded those present that Carib's sponsorship of the regional team dates back to 1999, when they sponsored the team at the World Cup in England.

In 2003, Carib, in a bid to improve the standard of cricket in the Caribbean, put their sponsorship behind the regional series. They are still the sponsors of the regional first class series - the Carib Beer Cup.

"We are confident that our West Indies players will win the World Twenty20 and become the most sought after and best cricketers in the globe when it comes to Twenty20 cricket, " Furlonge-Walker said.

"Let's all get behind them and show them the love and support for them to reach their goals and bring home the trophy, the glory and get some respect back for West Indies cricket.

"This team has what it takes to be successful and we are sure with our new sponsorship with the team they will give 150 per cent on the field to ensure triumph and victory for the people of the Caribbean," Furlonge-Walker concluded.

The West Indies open their bid for honours in the tournament on September 11 against hosts South Africa.