NEW DELHI: Cricket Canada has become the first ICC associate member to secure the backing of the world governing body to launch its own franchise based Twenty20 league. Global T20 Canada, which was announced in the Indian national capital on Thursday, is set to take off from July this year at three venues in Toronto.
The three venues are the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, Sunnybrook Park and Maple Leaf Cricket Club.
The league will be run by Mercuri Talent Management Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Bengaluru based Mercuri Group, which has secured a 25-year master licensing agreement from Cricket Canada that covers not just the Global T20 Canada, but also investment in developing the grassroots for the sport in the country.
The Global T20 Canada will kick-off in July with the following salient features:
· Six franchises drawn on geographical lines, with the possibility to include two-three more teams in the coming years
· To be played at three venues: Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, Sunnybrook Park, Maple Leaf Cricket Club
· Four Canadian local players in every squad, with the rest being international players
· A high-powered Cricket Advisory Board to be formed made up of eminent former players
The agreement between Cricket Canada and Mercuri, among other things, covers the following:
· Development of National High Performance Centre
· Setting up of regional High Performance Centres
· Investment in youth cricket and development tours around the world
· Setting up of a world class cricket stadium in Toronto
· Support the development of a Canada team that can qualify for the 2023 World Cup
Further details about the league will be announced in the second week of April.
Cricket Canada president Ranjit Saini said: “Twenty20 Major League Cricket has the potential to change Canadian cricket forever. It is a great challenge and Cricket Canada is ready to deliver a resounding success. Canada is a great sporting country and event hosting and management skills exist in abundance. This event will not only be a great cricket experience, it will also help grow our tourism potential as a nation.”
Founder and Group CEO of Mercuri Group, Sriram Bakthisaran, stated: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Cricket Canada to contribute directly to the success of cricket in Canada. Cricket is coming back home and we are only too delighted to play a part in it. We have a long-term vision and that also includes aiding in the development of a world class Canadian national side. So it is not just about the league, but about the all-round development of the sport.”
