The Stanford 20/20 Board of Directors announced today that Cuba will not be playing in the 2008 Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament.
Due to the United States embargo against Cuba, organisations and American citizens such as Sir Allen Stanford have to make application to, and receive special permission from the US Government to conduct any type of activity with that Caribbean nation. Stanford’s application was denied.
The news comes as a huge disappointment not only to the Cuba team who has been training intensely for what was to be their first official Tournament outside Cuba but also to the legends, cricket fans and Sir Allen who were looking forward to seeing what the heavily baseball-influenced nation could do with a cricket bat.
“We have been anxious to include the entire Caribbean in the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament and I am extremely disappointed that Cuba will not be able to play,” said Sir Allen. “Stanford 20/20 is requesting that the denial from the United States Government be reconsidered and we are exploring every option to secure their future participation.”
Cuba was scheduled to play in the first match against St. Maarten on Friday, 25 January. As a result of the team being unable to participate, St. Maarten will automatically advance to the second round to play St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, 1 February. The Opening Ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, 26 January immediately followed by match two featuring St. Lucia vs. Cayman Islands.
For more information about the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament, call 345.623.8823, email info@Stanford2020.com or log on to www.Stanford2020.com.
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About the Stanford 20/20 Tournament
The Stanford 20/20 Tournament is a single-elimination knockout cricket competition featuring teams from several Caribbean territories vying for the top spot. Nineteen (19) teams competed in the inaugural 2006 Tournament and twenty (20) teams will compete in the 2008 Tournament. Created by financier Sir Allen Stanford, the first Tournament took place in July/August 2006 with Guyana emerging as the Stanford 20/20 Champions. The 2008 Stanford 20/20 Tournament is set for 26 January to 24 February at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.
The 20 countries participating in the 2008 competition are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands** and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit the Stanford2020.com website for more information about the Stanford 20/20 programme.
** denotes new country
