Cricket South Africa regretted the postponement of the CL T20 but said there was no alternative after the Mumbai attacks.
It is a very sad day not just for cricket but for everybody affected by what has occurred in Mumbai, CSA CEO Gerald Majola said.
"It is regrettable that the governing council of the Champions League had to take this decision but they had no choice in the circumstances. The safety of the players is of paramount importance at all times," he said in a media release.
Majola felt it was a big disappointment for South African qualifiers Dolphins and Titans not to have had the chance to take part in the USD six million event that was set to be held from December 3-10 in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.
"It obviously has negative financial connotations for everybody involved and it is a huge disappointment for the franchise players from the Nashua Dolphins and the Nashua Titans who were looking forward to the opportunity of competing on a bigger stage," he added.
Tony Irish, CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association, said that the postponement of the eight-team tournament was the correct decision though it was also a massive financial blow to all concerned parties.
It is disappointing from a player's point of view because they were looking forward to testing their abilities against the best players from domestic teams of other countries, Irish said. "It is a massive blow to everyone financially, CSA, the franchises and the players, but it is the correct decision to make in this situation, because the safety and security of the teams and players is the most important factor," he added.
In view of the changed circumstances the South African Test squad will now travel to Australia together next weekend and an extra practice match is being arranged, also to be played at the WACA in Perth, the release said.
South Africa take on hosts Australia in a series of ODIs and Tests.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Champions League to begin in October 2009
The 2008 edition of the Champions Twenty20 League, which was postponed following the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, has been cancelled. The tournament, whose inaugural edition was scheduled between December 3-10 in India, will now kick off in October 2009.
Following the postponement, discussions among the BCCI, Cricket South Africa and Cricket Australia - the three founding partners - focused on identifying a possible window in January or February with India remaining the hosts. However, the packed international schedule left little room for the tournament: the home and away series between Australia and South Africa, and the concurrent domestic Twenty20 competitions in those countries, made it impossible to obtain a window.
The only solution was to push back the tournament's ten-year cycle by a year and hold the tournament in October 2009, during the dates that were identified for the second season. It is understood that there is a provision for such an adjustment in the organisers' arrangement with ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), the broadcasters, though it would mean teams would have to qualify afresh for the tournament.
There is US$6 million on offer during the tournament for participating teams, which includes the domestic Twenty20 finalists from India, South Africa and Australia. Middlesex and Sialkot Stallions, the domestic Twenty20 champions from England and Pakistan, were the other teams invited to participate in the edition that has now been cancelled.
Following the postponement, discussions among the BCCI, Cricket South Africa and Cricket Australia - the three founding partners - focused on identifying a possible window in January or February with India remaining the hosts. However, the packed international schedule left little room for the tournament: the home and away series between Australia and South Africa, and the concurrent domestic Twenty20 competitions in those countries, made it impossible to obtain a window.
The only solution was to push back the tournament's ten-year cycle by a year and hold the tournament in October 2009, during the dates that were identified for the second season. It is understood that there is a provision for such an adjustment in the organisers' arrangement with ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), the broadcasters, though it would mean teams would have to qualify afresh for the tournament.
There is US$6 million on offer during the tournament for participating teams, which includes the domestic Twenty20 finalists from India, South Africa and Australia. Middlesex and Sialkot Stallions, the domestic Twenty20 champions from England and Pakistan, were the other teams invited to participate in the edition that has now been cancelled.
Lalit Modi appointed chairman of Champions League T20 board
Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has been appointed chairman of the board of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament scheduled in December.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the three founding member boards - the Board of Control for Cricket in India, (BCCI) Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) here.
The inaugural Champions League Twenty20 will be held Dec 3-10 in India. Eight teams, consisting of the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus the winners of Twenty20 championships from Pakistan, and the reigning Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex, will compete in the event.
The prize money of $6 million will be shared between the teams and their players. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams from next year.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the three founding member boards - the Board of Control for Cricket in India, (BCCI) Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) here.
The inaugural Champions League Twenty20 will be held Dec 3-10 in India. Eight teams, consisting of the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus the winners of Twenty20 championships from Pakistan, and the reigning Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex, will compete in the event.
The prize money of $6 million will be shared between the teams and their players. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams from next year.
ESPN STAR Sports secured the ten-year commercial rights for the Champions League Twenty20.
The deal gives ESPN STAR Sports the exclusive Global Commercial Rights for all the matches in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season, due to be held from December 3 to 10, 2008, and for all further Champions League Twenty20 seasons until 2017.
The Commercial Rights were won by ESPN STAR Sports with a bid of US$900 million. This makes the Champions League Twenty20 the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis.
Bids were also received from Abu Dhabi Sports Club and DIC for what is viewed as the most exciting sporting extravaganza for cricket fans all over the world. All the bids were opened in Dubai. While DIC's bid was US$751.3 million, Abu Dhabi Sports Club's bid was disqualified for being a conditional bid.
Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, Indian Premier League said, "We are absolutely delighted that after a fair and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season and for cricket fans across the world. All the bids received were of a very high standard and we would like to thank all of the organisations that participated and for their submissions."
Manu Sawhney, Managing Director Asia, ESPN Star Sports said, ""We're extremely pleased at having won the Global Commercial Rights to the new and exciting Champions League Twenty20. This is a testament to our commitment to the game of cricket and fans as we cement our relationship with the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa. Through our television channels - ESPN, STAR Sports & STAR Cricket, our website www.espnstar.com, and our wireless platforms mobileESPN and STAR Sports Mobile, we are confident of taking the Champions League Twenty20 to new heights by working along with the various partners involved and are committed to set new benchmarks in the broadcast and distribution, such that fans of this crowd-pulling format can look forward to an exciting time when the league begins this December."
James Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia, said, "With ESPN STAR Sports as our Commercial Rights Partner we are now certain this fantastic new competition will reach discerning cricket fans across the globe. The Champions League Twenty20 will build on the success of domestic Twenty20 leagues in Australia and elsewhere in a manner which accelerates the development of cricket globally. Now with ESPN Star Sports as our global Commercial Rights Partner I think that the benefits of this global event will flow down to the interstate cricket level in Australia and in other participant nations, and greatly enhance cricket at the grass roots level, particularly for state-level players who get the chance to pit their skills against players from around the world."
Gerald Majola, Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa, said, "Having ESPN STAR Sports as our Champions League global Commercial Rights Partner will significantly enhance the international stature of the Champions League Twenty20 and encourage the pipeline of cricket development from the club, affiliate and franchise levels through to the international arenas. I am sure the global broadcast of the Champions League Twenty20 will ignite the passion of cricket lovers the world over."
The three founding member boards had already announced the dates for the inaugural edition of the 2008 Champions League Twenty20 from 3rd – 10th December, 2008 inclusive. Eight teams, consisting of the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus the winners of 2008 Twenty20 championships (to be held in October 2008) from Pakistan, and the reigning Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex, have been invited to contest the 2008 Champions League Twenty20. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams in year two between September 25 and October 10, 2009.
The prize money of US$6 million, will be shared between the teams and their players. The Governing Council of the event together with its founding cricket boards believes that the significant prize money to be shared by teams and players will ensure that the benefits of the event will foster cricket's development by injecting new funding into domestic-level cricket and at the same time will handsomely reward domestic-level cricketers and provide a unique opportunity for a higher public profile for players at the level below international cricket.
The Commercial Rights were won by ESPN STAR Sports with a bid of US$900 million. This makes the Champions League Twenty20 the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis.
Bids were also received from Abu Dhabi Sports Club and DIC for what is viewed as the most exciting sporting extravaganza for cricket fans all over the world. All the bids were opened in Dubai. While DIC's bid was US$751.3 million, Abu Dhabi Sports Club's bid was disqualified for being a conditional bid.
Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, Indian Premier League said, "We are absolutely delighted that after a fair and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season and for cricket fans across the world. All the bids received were of a very high standard and we would like to thank all of the organisations that participated and for their submissions."
Manu Sawhney, Managing Director Asia, ESPN Star Sports said, ""We're extremely pleased at having won the Global Commercial Rights to the new and exciting Champions League Twenty20. This is a testament to our commitment to the game of cricket and fans as we cement our relationship with the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa. Through our television channels - ESPN, STAR Sports & STAR Cricket, our website www.espnstar.com, and our wireless platforms mobileESPN and STAR Sports Mobile, we are confident of taking the Champions League Twenty20 to new heights by working along with the various partners involved and are committed to set new benchmarks in the broadcast and distribution, such that fans of this crowd-pulling format can look forward to an exciting time when the league begins this December."
James Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia, said, "With ESPN STAR Sports as our Commercial Rights Partner we are now certain this fantastic new competition will reach discerning cricket fans across the globe. The Champions League Twenty20 will build on the success of domestic Twenty20 leagues in Australia and elsewhere in a manner which accelerates the development of cricket globally. Now with ESPN Star Sports as our global Commercial Rights Partner I think that the benefits of this global event will flow down to the interstate cricket level in Australia and in other participant nations, and greatly enhance cricket at the grass roots level, particularly for state-level players who get the chance to pit their skills against players from around the world."
Gerald Majola, Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa, said, "Having ESPN STAR Sports as our Champions League global Commercial Rights Partner will significantly enhance the international stature of the Champions League Twenty20 and encourage the pipeline of cricket development from the club, affiliate and franchise levels through to the international arenas. I am sure the global broadcast of the Champions League Twenty20 will ignite the passion of cricket lovers the world over."
The three founding member boards had already announced the dates for the inaugural edition of the 2008 Champions League Twenty20 from 3rd – 10th December, 2008 inclusive. Eight teams, consisting of the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus the winners of 2008 Twenty20 championships (to be held in October 2008) from Pakistan, and the reigning Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex, have been invited to contest the 2008 Champions League Twenty20. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams in year two between September 25 and October 10, 2009.
The prize money of US$6 million, will be shared between the teams and their players. The Governing Council of the event together with its founding cricket boards believes that the significant prize money to be shared by teams and players will ensure that the benefits of the event will foster cricket's development by injecting new funding into domestic-level cricket and at the same time will handsomely reward domestic-level cricketers and provide a unique opportunity for a higher public profile for players at the level below international cricket.
T20 Champions League Theme Song By AR Rahman
ESPN star Sports is approaching India’s most famous and world recognized music composer AR Rahman for T20 Champions league Theme song.
The competition is about to start on 3rd December 2008 till 10th December 2008 and eight top teams from five countries will fight for mega prize of $6Million.
ESS wants to make it Big and AR Rahman is Big Musical Living legend. He really can sing and compose a Great Song for T20 champions league.
The competition is about to start on 3rd December 2008 till 10th December 2008 and eight top teams from five countries will fight for mega prize of $6Million.
ESS wants to make it Big and AR Rahman is Big Musical Living legend. He really can sing and compose a Great Song for T20 champions league.
Qualification for participating in T20 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008
The 2008 T20 Champions League is expected to be contested between 8 teams from 5 countries. The qualifiers are:
* The winners and runners-up of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash in Australia.
* The winners and runners-up of the Standard Bank Pro 20 Series in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
* The winners and runners-up of the Twenty20 Cup in England and Wales. (Note: Runners-up Kent were not invited to participate in the inaugural tournament because it contained two players who have taken part in the rebel Indian Cricket League, an unauthorized league).
* The winners and runners-up of the Indian Premier League in India.
* The winners of the RBS Twenty-20 Cup from Pakistan, (Sialkot Stallions in 2007-08).
* The winners and runners-up of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash in Australia.
* The winners and runners-up of the Standard Bank Pro 20 Series in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
* The winners and runners-up of the Twenty20 Cup in England and Wales. (Note: Runners-up Kent were not invited to participate in the inaugural tournament because it contained two players who have taken part in the rebel Indian Cricket League, an unauthorized league).
* The winners and runners-up of the Indian Premier League in India.
* The winners of the RBS Twenty-20 Cup from Pakistan, (Sialkot Stallions in 2007-08).
LOGO
Representing the three founder member boards of the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa - Lalit Modi, Chairman, Champions League Twenty20, and Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports - today unveiled the new logo for the Champions League Twenty20.
At a media event in Mumbai, the Chairman also announced the three venues of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, which will host the cricket extravaganza to be held from December 3-10, 2008.
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