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Canada planning T20 league on the lines of the IPL

AssassinatedDevil

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Canada could have its own version of the Indian Premier League T20 cricket soon. With the population of Indian, Pakistan and Caribbean immigrants growing fast in the country, Indian-origin Toronto businessman Roy Singh, who has interests in gold exploration in Guyana, says his mission is to launch the Canadian Premier League. "I have watched the huge success of the Indian Premier League and we can do the same in Canada and the US," said Roy Singh, who has already set up the Canadian Premier League T20 to set the ball rolling for T20 cricket in this country. In fact, he did a test run in Montreal for the proposed Canadian Premier League some time ago. The only thing coming in the way is the lack of infrastructure for cricket, he said.

To address this problem, Roy Singh has undertaken to build an indoor stadium near Niagara Falls.

"We are buying 153 acres of land for building the indoor stadium. It is just eight minutes from Niagara Falls. It is a big-budget venue," he said.

The fully operational Canadian Premier League will have 27 matches every season. "We will have 10 teams in two divisions."

Singh said, "As a cricket-loving businessman, I see a big business opportunity in T20 cricket. But a lot of costs are involved... you need a stadium to bring fans and start broadcasting."

Like the IPL, the Canadian Premier League will bank on sponsorships, merchandising, gate collections and broadcasting rights to become profitable, he added.

"Broadcasters can get an estimated 27 million viewers in North America alone. We will also sell broadcasting rights in India, the Caribbean and elsewhere," Roy Singh said.

He also added, "I know Viv (Richards), Richie (Richardson), Clive (Lloyd), Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, etc.." And he plans to bring top cricketers from the West Indies to promote the league.

Canada staged its first T20 national league in May 2008.

Interestingly, Canada was the first country to play a Test match way back in 1844. It was a three-day match played against the US from September 25-27 of that year at St George's Club in New York, with Canada winning by 23 runs.

However, in cricket book records, the first Test match is the one between Australia and England in Melbourne in 1877.

Moreover, cricket was Canada's official sport more than 150 years ago before it was dethroned by NHL. And the sport's governing body -- the Canadian Cricket Association -- was set up in 1892.

But cricket has staged a major comeback in the country as many first-class players from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean have moved to this country.

In 2008, the Canadian government also recognised cricket as a national sport with promises of federal funding.

https://sports.ndtv.com/indian-prem...anning-t20-league-on-the-lines-of-ipl-1813177
 
Would be lovely if some big names from Pakistan get involved in this. Will finally be able to see cricket live, although it is probably a much better experience from your own living room.
 
Would be lovely if some big names from Pakistan get involved in this. Will finally be able to see cricket live, although it is probably a much better experience from your own living room.

How far do you live from the states? Perhaps try to catch the Pak-bangla-WI tri-series schedueled for later this year if you want to experience watching it live.
 
Shabash boys more 10-15 leagues needed and then a Champions league and a Club World Cup
 
This league is bound for a failure. Native Canadians dont even know a thing or two about Cricket, and immigrants from India/Pakistan/Windies/BD are not enough to sustain such league. Most Indians like me wouldnt even care if current Indian players arent part of it. The only thing im looking forward is to see the indoor cricket ground, hopefully its an actual size cricket ground and not some gully mohalla type layout.

Maybe someday I could see Team India plays an international match at the ground.
 
Interestingly, Canada was the first country to play a Test match way back in 1844. It was a three-day match played against the US from September 25-27 of that year at St George's Club in New York, with Canada winning by 23 runs.

This is false. Canada played in the first international but it was not every accredited with test status.
 
Not a bad idea but the location should be in GTA. West of Mississauga and Milton have lots of land just expensive but it will attract more audiance.
The south asian population is not in good numbers in niagra, st. Catherine and hamilton.
 
Cricket Canada delighted with ICC approval for Global T20 Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pleased to bless newly formed league

Cricket Canada becomes first Associate member to set in motion the creation of T20 franchise league in the lucrative North America market

India’s Mercuri Group acquires Master License Agreement to manage the league with Cricket Canada

New Delhi, 22 February 2018: Cricket’s original home was always Canada because the sport was first played there. In fact the first-ever international cricket match also featured a Canadian team against United States way back in 1844.

Cricket was also the first sport adopted by Canada as a nation. Hence it was only natural that cricket finds its way back to its original home in a big way.

On Thursday first signs of the same emerged when Canada’s very own first franchise-based Twenty20 league, Global T20 Canada, was announced in the Indian National capital. The league is set to take off from July this year at three venues in Toronto, marking cricket’s homecoming in a big way.

The league is conceptualised, designed, developed and managed by Mercuri Group with Cricket Canada, the official governing body for the sport in the country. The league has also gained official sanction of the International Cricket Council (ICC). With this announcement Cricket Canada becomes the first Associate member of the ICC to set in motion a Twenty20 franchise league in the lucrative North America market.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in the final leg of his official Indian trip, participated in a promotional cricket event at a school in the Indian capital on Thursday Prime Minister Trudeau signed a bat wishing the Global T20 Canada all the luck on the sidelines of his visit to the school.

The Global T20 Canada will kick-off in July with the following salient features:

· Six franchises drawn on geographical lines, with the possibility to include two-three more teams in the coming years

· To be played at three venues: Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, Sunnybrook Park, Maple Leaf Cricket Club

· Four Canadian local players in every squad, with the rest being international players

· A high-powered Cricket Advisory Board to be formed made up of eminent former players

Cricket Canada has entered into a 25-year Master Licensing Agreement with Mercuri Talent Management Pvt Ltd. This agreement covers not just the Global T20 Canada, but also investment in developing the grassroots for the sport in the country.

The agreement among other things covers the following:

· Development of National High Performance Centre

· Setting up of regional High Performance Centres

· Investment in youth cricket and development tours around the world

· Setting up of a world class cricket stadium in Toronto

· Support the development of a Canada team that can qualify for the 2023 World Cup

Further details about the league will be announced in the second week of April 2018.

Cricket Canada president Mr Ranjit Saini said: “Twenty20 Major League Cricket has the potential to change Canadian cricket forever. It is a great challenge and Cricket Canada is ready to deliver a resounding success. Canada is a great sporting country and event hosting and management skills exist in abundance. This event will not only be a great cricket experience, it will also help grow our tourism potential as a nation.”

Founder and Group CEO of Mercuri Group, Mr. Sriram Bakthisaran stated: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Cricket Canada to contribute directly to the success of cricket in Canada. Cricket is coming back home and we are only too delighted to play a part in it. We have a long-term vision and that also includes aiding in the development of a world class Canadian national side. So it is not just about the league, but about the all-round development of the sport.”
 
Good initiative only time will tell if it’s successful like NFL or a total fiasco like XFL.
 
Why dont the Americans establish a T-20 League then? If it can be successful in Canada, it will definately be successful in the US
 
I think T20 leagues setting up all over the world is only a good thing, will give more exposure to Cricket.
 
Great. I should practice my cricketing skills to get into this league when this starts. :yk3
 
Canada Cricket Board announced ICC approved T20 League : Global T20 Canada

T20 League will be played in July this year in Toronto.

6 teams 2 to 3 teams will be added in coming years.

4 local Canadian players per squad and rest internationals.

Event sponsored by India's Mercuri Group in association with Cricket Canada, backed by ICC.

Good luck to Canada Cricket ...
 
League will Feature Marquee Players Chris Gayle, Steven Smith, Darren Sammy, Shahid Afridi and Emerging Canadian Talent
TORONTO, CANADA – International stars Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Darren Sammy, Lasith Malinga, Steve Smith, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, David Miller and Dwayne Bravo lead the field of cricket talent that will headline Global T20 Canada (www.GT20.ca), a new professional league in the Twenty20 format unveiled today.

Along with the players, Cricket Canada and Mercuri Canada, revealed the mark, teams and venue for the league, the first to be fully staged in North America and set to run from June 28 to July 15.

Global T20 Canada will consist of six teams, five representing Canadian cities – Edmonton Royals, Montreal Tigers, Toronto Nationals, Vancouver Knights and Winnipeg Hawks – with a sixth, Cricket West Indies representative team, consisting entirely of players from the Caribbean, as part of an official partnership with Cricket West Indies.

Speaking about this association, Cricket West Indies (CWI) President, Dave Cameron, said, “On behalf of CWI, I would like to wish Global T20 Canada much success. The growth of our region will largely depend on the success of leagues and tournaments like this. We support Cricket Canada and look forward to working even closer going forward, so congratulations and all the best to Cricket Canada and Mercuri Group.”

Teams will be stocked with players through a draft that will take place on May 30. Four roster spots will be set aside for Canadians reflecting organizers’ plan to leverage the league to develop future Canadian talent that will lead the men’s national team to success in international competitions, in both the Twenty20 and Test formats.

The league will comprise 22 matches culminating in playoffs and the championship match on July 16. All contests will take place at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, a cricket-specific facility just north of Toronto that will be expanded to a capacity of 7,000 seats.

“Global T20 Canada marks the first time a nation with associate member status is launching a league – a major step forward in cricket’s global development,” says Ranjit Saini, President, Cricket Canada. “Canadian cricket fans will have a great opportunity to see up close many of the world’s greatest players, and I’d like to thank International Cricket Council, CWI and the international cricket community for their guidance and support in growing cricket in Canada.”

As the newest international league in the format, Global T20 Canada joins a growing list of competitions in India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean. Driven by the success of Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash, the Twenty20 format has exploded in popularity with its pageantry, colour, pop culture elements, and shorter match duration. Mercuri Canada, which signed a 25-year deal with Cricket Canada to manage and operate the league, plans to grow and develop the league to one day rival its global counterparts.

League broadcast partners, the broadcast schedule and ticket information will be announced in the coming days.

Marquee Players: Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Darren Sammy, Lasith Malinga, Steve Smith, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, David Miller, Dwayne Bravo

http://www.gt20.ca/new-global-t20-c...stars-six-teams-and-maple-leaf-inspired-logo/

Some big names here
 
Surprised.

Didn't think they would attract such big names.Guess they'll be paying quite a lot of money..
 
Waqar Younis and Tom Moody are among the five coaches who will be in charge of the teams featuring in the upcoming Global T20 Canada league which begins from June 28 in Toronto. Current Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons, Donovan Miller, and Mohammad Akram are the others featuring on the elusive list. While Younis will be in charge of Winnipeg Eagles, Moody will be heading the Montreal Tigers. Phil Simmons will lead the Toronto Nationals. Donovan Miller and Mohammad Akram will mentor Edmonton Royals and Vancouver Knights respectively. The T20 league which begins from June 28 will feature five Canadian teams and one from the Windies.

Speaking on his appointment, 46-year-old Younis said, “I look forward to this experience.I still remember the kind of excitement it created at that time and this time it should be no different. Global T20 has announced some magnificent names as marquee players.”

Meanwhile, the league will also witness some of the best players from word cricket come together for yet another showdown. Former Australian captain Steve Smith, Sunil Narine and Universe Boss Chris Gayle will be among those.

Marquee players: Chris Gayle (West Indies), Andre Russell (West Indies), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Daren Sammy (West Indies), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Steve Smith (Australia), Sunil Narine (West Indies), Chris Lynn (Australia), David Miller (South Africa), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

http://indianexpress.com/article/sp...-coaching-stint-in-canada-t20-league-5202325/
 
Wow...
In terms of star power this league has already surpassed PSL.
 
27 million viewers in North America alone? Doubt if it is even one tenth of the potential viewership numbers being quoted.
 
I feel its too early to have a league in Canada . Chances of such a league is more likely in Nepal/Afg than Canada .
 
There's no fixture, no TV deal, no contracts and no tickets, but the organisers of the fledgling Canadian Twenty20 tournament earmarked for Steve Smith and David Warner's comeback say it will still go ahead.

Less than three weeks before the the Global T20 Canada is due to begin, staff are working "18 to 20 hours daily" as doubts emerge whether the associate nation will have enough time to pull the event together.

While Australian interest centres on exiled pair Smith and Warner, the tournament has also attracted some of the biggest international names in the game including Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga and Andre Russell.

It's believed the highest paid players in the league, which had Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appear at a promotional event in Delhi this year, are commanding fees up to $100,000 for the 18-day long tournament on the outskirts of Toronto.

It's understood investors have tipped in between $10 million to $20 million to start the league, which is not expected to return a profit in year one.

The GT20 received a massive shot in the arm when it was announced Smith and Warner would be available but whether they or any players take to the field at all remains to be seen.

Building has not begun on erecting the temporary stands needed to turn the Maple Leaf Cricket Club's ground into the 7000-seat venue which will host the former Australian captain's first competitive match since the ball tampering scandal.

All 22 matches will be played at the one venue, which is preparing five pitches to cope with the traffic. One team has stacked its squad with nine spinners in anticipation of heavily worn surfaces.

Despite what a senior official has described as "very healthy interest" from broadcasters, the GT20 has not landed a broadcast partner.

Player agents contacted by Fairfax Media on Friday confirmed they had not received a contract despite tournament director Jason Harper saying on Wednesday morning they would be emailed in the next "12 to 24 hours" to all 96 players. Some agents are still to be briefed on flight details.

The tickets section of the league's website was on Friday still asking fans to register to receive ticket information "as soon as it becomes available". Harper, who is anticipating full houses for the finals, said the bulk of tickets would be bought online.

The schedule includes a draft of when matches would be played but does not include teams involved.

Canada's reputation as a cricket nation was tainted in 2012 when players involved in an All Star game in Toronto complained they had not been paid or reimbursed for their flights. Six Pakistan players - including Shahid Afridi, who is slated to play in this event - pulled out at the last minute.

The GT20, however, said there would be no repeat as it had signed an memorandum of understanding with Cricket Canada for funds set aside for salaries to be put in a central account.

"CC is overseeing a lot of the payables for the competition. Everything has to go through their approvals - from contract negotiations to having money upfront for player salaries," Harper said.

Harper is confident organisers will win the "race against the clock" to stage the event.

"If we were going to a place that wasn't a sports town, the logistics would be a lot more difficult but Toronto is a sports city," Harper said.

"It will be difficult right up to the last moment but we'll deliver it.

"You can bet your last dollar that it will be delivered."

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...bts-over-canadian-league-20180608-p4zkg4.html
 
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I knew it the day it was announced. Epic failure is written all over it.
7000 seats? Lol what kind of joke is that.

Even a inter school hockey game gets more crowd than that.
All games in one tiny ground... smh

I wouldnt not spend a dime to watch this utter garbage. This is just an attempt to mimic IPL hoping to attract sponsors and make fortunes. Sadly for them, its even struggling to find a broadcaster.

Its going same way as South Africa’s GLT20 went last year.
 
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