KINGSTON, Jamaica – With less than six months to the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, members of the Jamaican Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will embark on a second major North American promotional tour in the tri-state area of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, October 6-9.
“We are extremely grateful for the assistance of the New York and Connecticut Chapters of the Friends of Trelawny Association (FOTA); as well as the Hanover Homecoming Inc. for assisting the LOC with the organization of this tour,” Mr. Bryan, Executive Director of the LOC said, in making the Friday, September 29.
He said that the overseas promotion will target Jamaican and other Caribbean nationals, as well as Indians, Pakistanis and Irish nationals, who are part of the cricket-playing culture, worldwide.
“We are seeking to mobilize avid cricket fans in North America, to provide them with direct information about ICC Cricket World Cup venues, playing dates, transportation and accommodation, the grandeur of the opening ceremony; as well as to highlight the quality of the matches to be played in the Jamaican segment of the series,” Mr. Bryan stated.
The LOC Director also pointed out that, even sidelights, such as the fact that that–Ireland will play Pakistan on St. Patrick’s Day, in Jamaica, would be of cultural interest to Irish cricket fans.
In addition, Jamaican nationals overseas need to be aware the variety of local accommodation will include “Bed and Breakfast Home Stay Program,” and that more than 400 homeowners have already confirmed their ability to sub-let rooms to cricket spectators.
The promotion team, headed by Mr. Bryan, will include David Shields, Deputy Director Marketing, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB): Courtney Walsh, Jamaican Ambassador-At-Large; and Richard Lue, Director, Special Projects & World Cup Cricket, at Air Jamaica.
Mr. Shields noted that, “the JTB, which has direct responsibility for marketing brand JAMAICA internationally, will be joining the Jamaica LOC in highlight the country as–the destination of choice for the events of the Cricket World Cup, next year.
“Our role is to ensure hat this promotion will ultimately benefit Jamaica,” Mr. Shields affirmed. “We are also pleased that the Hon. Courtney Walsh, O.J. and Ambassador-At-Large, has agreed to work with us on our international marketing campaign. He will join us on this and future promotional tours.”
In the area of airlift, Mr. Lue pointed out that Air Jamaica will be mounting special charters and tour packages from North American. “As the ‘national carrier’, the airline takes pride of place in this promotion,” he stated, “and we are working with the official travel agencies to highlight destination Jamaica.”
Events during the four-day USA tour will be held on: Friday, October 6, at Delroy’s Café, 1 Duryea Pl, between Flatbush & East 22nd at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 7, at Flowers Physical Therapy Building, 219-10 South Conduit Ave., Springfield Gardens, NY 11413 at 1:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 8, at Club Eclipse, Newark, NJ at 7:30 p.m.; and on Monday, October 9, at the West Indian Social Club, Hartford CT at 7:00 p.m.
Reviewing the on-going LOC promotional schedule, Mr. Bryan said that this was the second invitation from Jamaican organizations in the Diaspora to assist in highlighting ICC Cricket World Cup events to be played in Jamaica. He said, “These events are not to be missed by Jamaicans living outside of our borders, because it is the ideal time for our nationals to come home and celebrate with us.”
Jamaica and eight other Caribbean nations will host the ICC Cricket World Cup, on behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board, between March and April 2007. The event unfolds in Jamaica on March 5 with the first of four warm-up matches, followed by a prestigious Opening Ceremony on March 11 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.
On March 13, the event moves into Kingston for–six first round group stage matches, and one semi-final match at the historic Sabina Park.
