 |
|
It's never been better for cricket lovers. A new format, new players and a whole new way of looking at an old and beloved game. The two ICC World Twenty20 competitions have provided spectators with plenty of thrilling and emotionally charged moments. And the Indian Premier League, now two seasons old, has transformed the way we look at cricket teams and their composition. Nationalities, cricketing traditions and playing styles all blend in together, making each IPL team a considerable force with a staggering fan following.
Once again, great ideas and intentions and have come together at the right time to create a revolutionary new tournament. Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) takes its first proud step this October in India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa have joined hands to develop this tournament that will win the game even more supporters, interest and glory. Leading domestic clubs from across seven nations will stake claim to the title of the world’s best club across 16 action-packed days. The competition offers a total of US $ 6 million which will be distributed amongst participating teams; the winners take home US $ 2.5 million.
CLT20 brings with it a whole new range of possibilities for the sport. The first is a pool of exciting young talent from around the world that will inevitably find its way into the next ICC T20 World Cup, IPL, Season 2010 and other domestic leagues. These rising stars of local teams will learn valuable lessons at the highest level, launching their careers emphatically.
Local teams from various countries now have an ultimate goal to achieve – a berth in the Champions League Twenty20. This mission is sure to strengthen sides in their resolve and push club players to perform even better.
Another great boost for the game is the significant prize money that CLT20 offers participating sides. Each of the twelve competing teams will benefit from this provision of funds. Domestic clubs are the foundation on which international cricket stands and they need this kind of support to be nurtured and to flourish. We are pleased to be able to encourage local clubs in an effort to enrich the very roots of cricket.
Though such a clash of domestic champions from around the world has never been witnessed in cricket before, the competition’s charm and appeal go beyond cricket or sporting reasons. Audiences will now be privy to new cultures, regions and traditions that these highly skilled sides embody. Every game will be a celebration that echoes in the little towns, quaint counties, bustling metros or idyllic islands of the teams’ origin. Never before have local clubs found a platform this grand and empowering.
All that is left is to wish the twelve participating teams the very best. We look forward to some high quality action on the field beginning October 8, 2009 in Bangalore.
So get behind your club and into the CLT20 spirit. See you there!
WORDS FROM
It is a matter of great honour for a cricket board to announce a new tournament, especially if it stretches the boundaries within which the game is played. On behalf of the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa, I am pleased to introduce you to Champions League Twenty20 . a brand new competition that promises to catapult domestic clubs from various nations to the stratospheric heights of international success.
