Limacol CPL Attracts International Franchise Buyer
Gros Inlet, St. Lucia – 31 July 2013 – International Sports Holdings Limited (ISH) has confirmed the purchase of the St. Lucia Zouks franchise just a day before the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament got underway.
The Singapore-based company is expanding into cricket and other sports franchise opportunities globally. Members of the management team were responsible for the recent acquisition of Glasgow Rangers and have extensive experience with global sports management, franchise operations and investment management.
“The formation of the LCPL T20 League heralds the arrival of an exciting cricketing format to the Caribbean through a dynamic commercial initiative,” said Fayyaz Alimohamed, CEO of the St. Lucia Zouks franchise. “We hope that this is the start of an expansion of cricket throughout the Americas and we are very pleased to be part of this inaugural Tournament.”
“We are absolutely thrilled that ISH has joined the Limacol Caribbean Premier League franchise family,” said Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the CPL. “ISH and CPL share a vision of nurturing and growing the sport of cricket and bringing a joyous, celebratory form of cricket that is unique to the West Indies to a global audience.”
Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and Founder of the LCPL, commenting on the franchise acquisition said, “We are excited to have ISH own and build the St. Lucia Zouks franchise. ISH brings deep experience in the sports business, and we are excited to see them bring their expertise in globalising the fan base of the St. Lucia Zouks.”
St. Lucia’s Event Operations Officer, Krystal Jean Baptiste, is excited about bringing this new venture to cricket fans throughout the Windward Islands.
“Fans in St. Lucia and around the Windward Islands love their cricket,” said Krystal. “This vibrant, enthralling format, filled with regional and international stars, is likely to create tremendous fan enthusiasm and sold out matches in St. Lucia.”
The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premiere League T20 tournament began on Tuesday, 30 July and concludes on Saturday, 24 August. The SLU Zouks home matches take place on August 6, 8 and 10 against the Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs, respectively.
We debate over and over about investors coming to our islands to invest. We spend our time focusing on tourism, agriculture and IT. Which to me are great and can benefit a country a lot. But I don’t think we Eastern Caribbean Island understand what benefit sports has on a country. I welcome the CPL and hope as the MLB, MLS and other professional sports in the US that the CPL can expand over the years. Allowing other Islands who may not have their team buy a franchise so that their Island can benefit. I am confident that this CPL will reap benefit and will be successful. One keep factor is that they will be run like businesses and not as individual presidents personal boys club. CPL is an investment that will benefit the Caribbean and bring new money to the reason and more so add value to tourism (more visitors), agriculture (more visitors mean more food) and IT (Technology)
Sir, reading your article was met with immediate contempt when i noticed you made an error with the the name the North of our Beloved island St. Lucia to wit: Gros-Inlet.
Be advised the proper wording or name is ‘Gros-Islet’.
It is an absolutely beautiful part of our island and perhaps the most beautiful community in the Caribbean.
So Please be advised accordingly.
Hope the benefits will filter down to our players and fans. It would be great for package fares to the games and to rotate the venues for all of us to benefit