The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the newest franchise in the annual Caribbean Premier League (CPL), was launched on Tuesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Worldwide Sports Management Group is the franchise owner, while Parimatch will serve as the team's title sponsor.
The Falcons will replace the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2024 CPL, keeping the number of teams in the competition at six.
Krishna Persaud, the founder and president of Worldwide Sports Management Group, owns the Falcons and was the previous owner of the Tallawahs, a franchise he sold back to the CPL.
The Guyana-born Persaud said he was delighted to have the team on board for the CPL.
“We are brand new; we are here, we are ready … let’s get ready to play! The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons will bring a unique energy and vitality to the Republic Bank CPL. We are ready to fly high and conquer what is before us. We want to establish a winner’s culture within the team and also a culture of winning and success off the field – among every individual associated with this franchise and the amazing fans we will have at our special home base at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in lovely Antigua," he said.
“What you are witnessing today as we unveil the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, is something truly special and I want to thank the Government of Antigua & Barbuda, who have worked closely with us to bring the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons to life. Antigua is our home … this country has a rich cricket history and the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons will create more great history on these shores. It is now time for the Falcons to fly high," Persaud added.
Jeff Miller has been appointed chief executive and General Manager of the franchise, while coaching and management staff are set to be announced at a later date.
“Welcome back Antigua & Barbuda! This is where the ‘party’ in cricket started, and we are delighted to be back for this exciting event. We plan to have a full house for every match with our Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on show," he said.
"This is what we have been waiting for. It will be amazing to see the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium packed and our lovely super fans enjoying the action and the atmosphere, as well as seeing great cricket on the field, the non-stop party in the stands, and all the festivities that come with cricket in the West Indies," Miller added.
The Antigua Hawksbills previously represented the territory in the CPL.
The Hawksbills were one of the six original teams in the CPL, but the franchise folded after the 2014 edition of the tournament.
The 2024 Republic Bank CPL runs from 28 August to 6 October with games to be played in Antigua for the first time in 10 years.
Matches will also be staged in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, with the finals again carded for Guyana.
Copyright © Batbricks7© 2020