GRAND OPENING – Limacol CPL T20 launches with spectacular show

THE biggest party in sport got under way as thousands of cricket fans converged on Kensington Oval on Tuesday night for the spectacular opening of the inaugural Limacol CPL T20.

Some of the biggest artistes from the region had the crowd grooving with the ceremony coming to a close with an awesome fireworks display, while the Limacol CPL ‘Roots’ Trophy was unveiled.

From left: WICB President Dave Cameron, Digicel Chairman
Denis O’Brien, cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers, LCPL Founder
Ajmal Khan and LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe pose with the
LCPL ‘Roots’ Trophy after it was unveiled on Tuesday. 

Kes was the first to hit the stage and gave a rousing rendition of the highly infectious CPL anthem as hundreds of costumed clad children danced in front of the Worrell Weekes and Walcott Stand. The children were dressed in the various team colours and were each holding hands.

Mosaic Steel Band was next on stage and fittingly played the national anthems of the six franchise nations. The Barbados national anthem was saved for last and it was beautiful to hear thousands of voices singing along.

The 450 children on the field were joined by jumbies and people hitting iron for a truly carnival feeling. As they circled the field, queen of soca Alison Hinds hit the stage and sent the crowd wild with some of her biggest hits. Not a soul was sitting as she sang songs such as ‘Brace and Wine’ and ‘Born With It’.


Dancehall artiste Konshens kept the good vibes flowing and he was later joined on stage by Kes and the two performed the LCPL official anthem, ‘How We Play’.

Six franchises – Antigua & Barbuda Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, Guyana’s Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel – will contest 24 matches across the six venues. The final match will take place in Trinidad & Tobago on August 24. (PG)