Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Richie Richardson are coming back to rally ’round the West Indies – right alongside David Rudder himself.
Cricketing legends will be coming to the aid of this region once again, serving as the big drawing cards for next Saturday’s Rally Round West Indies T20 Cricket Hurricane Irma/Maria Relief Benefit match at the 3Ws Oval.
Cave Hill Academy of Sport director Amanda Reifer made the announcement during yesterday’s launch of the combined fund-raising effort between the University of the West Indies and Cricket West Indies.
“This event is really consistent with a long tradition of the Caribbean coming together to take responsibility for each other in circumstances of adversity as we have a culture and tradition of solidarity in this region,” said UWI Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles.
“This event is designed and conceptualised to let our communities in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Anguilla know that we are thinking of them.
“This is a moment of healing because the Caribbean community is coming together to send messages of solidarity and what binds us together in the area of culture is the sport of cricket as all of us have participated in building this culture,” he added.
Beckles himself is slated to take the field in one of two star-studded teams that include the likes of Sir Curtley, Sir Richie, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Franklyn Rose, Daren Ganga, former English cricketer Philip Defreitas and onetime world champion sprinter Yohan Blake.
Rudder is expected to perform his legendary Rally ’Round The West Indies anthem ahead of a benefit T20 match that will also see current West Indies players Sulieman Benn, Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith partner with UWI players.
It’s all in an effort to raise much needed funds for the reconstruction of schools and hospitals in hurricane-ravaged countries Dominica and Barbuda, whose rebuilding costs have exceeded US$100 billion following the aftermath of Irma and Maria.
“The Rally Round the West Indies cricket match is an event designed to raise significant funds for the relief effort while also providing a measure of psychological healing to those who have suffered and lost so much,” said dean of the faculty of law Dr David Berry.
“The game of cricket is the region’s game, loved by all. Cricket has been and continues to be a great unifier. There is no better time than now to unite to ensure that our brothers and sisters receive the necessary support to rebuild their homes and their lives.”
Sponsors Sagicor Group have already pledged US$100 000 to the event, which will be streamed live by Flow Sports to 18 countries around the region.
The match, which starts at 8 p.m., is free for all patrons, who are asked to wear blue in a show of unity.
Players: Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Richie Richardson, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Ganga, Ian Bradshaw, Franklyn Rose, Yohan Blake, Philip Defreitas, Vasbert Drakes, Rayad Emrit, Dale Richards, Tino Best, Floyd Reifer, Sir Hilary Beckles, Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, Fidel Edwards, Justin Bramble, Leniko Boucher, Nicholas Kirton, Gilon Tyson. (JM)
