On that day the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) welcomed S. M. Jaleel and its popular soft drink Busta, to our family of sponsors.
The region's largest soft drink manufacturer, S. M. Jaleel is contributing US$893,000 comprising US$725,000 in direct sponsorship over four years, and prize money of US$42,000 per year. They will also fund major promotions for the tournament.
Fans can expect a highly promoted tournament to build excitement for the four-day game, which is the backbone of West Indies cricket.
As President Pat Rousseau said, the selectors choose their Test teams from the Four-day tournament so it is critical, and the Busta sponsorship is greatly appreciated.
S. M. Jaleel has taken a very positive and professional approach to the sponsorship. Those who attended the launch on Thursday December 3 can attest to that. It was truly a spectacular event, which signalled to the Caribbean and the world the importance that the sponsors place on this tournament.
As president of S. M. Jaleel, Dr. Aleem Mohammed said in his speech at the launch, Busta and cricket share among other things, the goal of marketing successfully their products regionally and internationally.
In the case of the WICB, we want to do so with a view to putting lasting infrastructure in place for the development of the sport in the region.
The Busta Cup will certainly play a most significant role in developing the raw talent in the Caribbean for our global success. Without good cricketers, we have nothing to market and this is where our best talented is tested and nurtured for the international stage.
Like the Trinidadian calypsonian Relator, who performed an entertaining piece on the Busta Cup mentioning former sponsors as well, the WICB would like to pay tribute to the two past sponsors of the four-day game, Shell and Red Stripe Beer.
For 22 years Shell helped develop the talent that was to shine in the glory days of the 70s and early 80s while Red Stripe took over this role for five years.
This year the tournament was unsponsored for the first time, but the WICB ensured it continued, using its own funds.
Our Marketing Team led by Marketing Committee Chairman Teddy Griffith and Chief Marketing Executive, Chris Dehring, must also be commended for securing the sponsorship at a very difficult time in West Indies Cricket.
Now with the Busta Cup we look forward to another new and exciting phase in regional cricket. The players certainly have excellent incentives to give of their best with the biggest prize money package ever offered in regional cricket.
It is also significant that S. M. Jaleel is building interest among the schools, with a prize of a computer for the alma mater of the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The structure of the Busta Cup Series of 5 Rounds and a Semi-final provides both maximum exposure for the players as well as the build up to a decisive finish. There is a lot of cricket for the players and the fans.
We encourage the public and especially our young people to come out to the Busta Cup matches which will be held throughout the region from January 15 to March 23.
'Across The Board' is the column of the West Indies Cricket Board. Questions can be sent to:
The West Indies Cricket Board,
St. John's Wood, Antigua.
E-mail: WICB@candw.ag
fax: (268) 460-5452.