Knockout Tournament sponsor announced

ICC Media Release August 22, 1998

For the first time in the history of cricket, a limited overs tournament on a knockout basis featuring all the nine test playing nations is being organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This event has been titled as the "Wills International Cup"

The Wills International Cup will serve the dual purpose of a competitive event featuring the top Cricket playing nations of the world as well as generate resources for the various developmental programmes initiated by the ICC. ICC's vision is to globalise cricket and the Wills International Cup will be the first real step of ICC towards realisation of its noble objectives. The choice of Bangladesh as a venue symbolises the organisation's commitment towards the gospel for this great game far and wide.

ITC Limited has been at the forefront of sport sponsorship in India, being the largest sponsor of sport in the country. From patronising talent at the grassroots level in the finest national and international contests, the association between ITC Limited and Sports is truly all pervading.

Wills, a premier brand of ITC Limited has been associated with cricket from 1978. At a time when instant cricket was a nascent concept throughout the world, the Wills Trophy pioneered top class One Day Cricket in India and became a breeding ground for the future stars of the game. In 1991 Wills extended its association to foreign shores with the Wills World Series held in India in 1994 offered Indian spectators the opportunity to witness top class international cricket in the country. The crowning glory, of was the Wills World Cup 1996. The biggest ever cricketing spectacle, it brought together 12 nations, 3 host countries and an estimated worldwide audience of 400 million. Wills' constant and continued commitment to Cricket was further highlighted with the sponsorship or the Indian Cricket Team since 1993.

The Wills International Cup is sponsored by Wills Sport, an exclusive brand of Sports Gear and Fashion Leisure wear. This range, which is being launched in a phased manner, is being made available in sports shops as well as fashion wear outlets throughout the Country. The sponsorship of all the mega sporting events will now be under the banner of Wills Sport, so as to further consolidate and promote the sport gear and sports wear business of the Company.

The logo of the Wills International Cup is a simple depiction of a powerful idea - 'One World One Game'. The cricket ball represents the globe and epitomises the universality of this great game. The seams in the ball stand for unity and fraternity of this unique and special world - Where nations, players and spectators alike are linked by the common thread of the cherry and the willow to share the magic of this grand event.

The event will be held at Dhaka (Bangladesh) and all matches will be played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium from October 24 to November 1 1998, with a reserve day on November 2, 1998. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa and Zimbabwe will be the participants. There will be a Pre-Quarter Final followed by four Quarter Finals, two Semi Finals and the Final. With no second chances and where every match is a final, the Wills International Cup promises to be highly enthralling and memorable Cricketing spectacle.

© ICC