ABOUT THE STANFORD 20/20 TOURNAMENT

The Stanford 20/20 Tournament is the brainchild of Antiguan financier and developer Sir Allen Stanford. The hugely successful inaugural tournament, which took place in Antigua in July and August 2006, featured 19 Caribbean countries vying for a grand prize of US$1 million and other smaller but no less appealing monetary rewards.

The goal of the Stanford 20/20 Programme is to reignite the passion for cricket in the people throughout the region and help the West Indies regain their rightful place at the top of world cricket. This goal will be reached through the following ways:

• Providing significant funding and assistance with overall development of players and cricket programmes in all participating territories
• Establishing a professional cricket league throughout the region to create a pool of talent to benefit the West Indies and National Cricket Teams
• Hosting a Super Stars Tournament featuring the best Caribbean cricketers against a top international team in a US$20 million top prize tournament, ensuring the eyes of the world will be on the region and its talent

Indeed these goals are well on their way to being achieved and at a level beyond everyone’s greatest expectations. However, the phenomenon continues as Sir Allen and his team work to make the 2008 Tournament even bigger and better. The Stanford Super Stars programme is also being developed and is expected to attract even more international attention.

The Stanford 20/20 Board consists of Sir Allen Stanford, noted judge from Montserrat Ken Allen, QC, and 14 legends of West Indies cricket, Lance Gibbs, Ian Bishop, Sir Everton Weekes, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Joel Garner, Reverend Dr. Wes Hall, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts and Michael Holding.

The legends are assigned a specific country or countries which they visit regularly. Their role is to advise, assist and motivate the players as they prepare for the tournament.

The next Stanford 20/20 Tournament will be played 26 January to 24 February 2008. The single knockout format will pit 21 Caribbean countries against one another on the cricket field:

A fierce battle for the top spot and the top prizes – US$1 million for first and US$500,000 for second place – is anticipated. The Man of the Match in every game will receive US$25,000 while the Man of the Match in the final game will receive US$100,000.

In 2006 each participating country’s cricket association received US$280,000 for player development and cricket equipment. Funding will continue for 2007, with each of the original 19 participating countries receiving US$180,000 and new participants US$280,000. US$300,000 will be awarded to the cricket associations of the winning and runner-up teams, to be spent on development.

Upon approval from the ICC, the Stanford 20/20 programme will culminate with an international tournament tentatively slated for 6–15 June 2008. Four full ICC member teams will compete to play against a Stanford Super Stars team. The purse is huge, with the winning team getting US$20,000,000.

The Stanford 20/20 programme is working closely with the West Indies Cricket Board to finalise a five-year agreement for hosting the regional tournament as the premier 20/20 programme in the region, as well as obtaining approval and support for a yearly international programme.

www.stanford2020.com
2008 Stanford 20/20 Tournament schedule.

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