Lycamobile, Europe's largest Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), has purchased the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel franchise just days before the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament gets underway.
The global cell phone carrier, which boasts a market share of 30 million customers across 16 countries, will use its worldwide influence to enhance brand awareness of both the Red Steel team and the LCPL.
Lycamobile Group Chairman, Subaskaran Allirajah said:
"As Lycamobile's presence expands across the globe, so too does the customer base we serve and interests they share. Lycamobile has a strong heritage in cricket as the sport captivates and unites many of our communities.
"We are incredibly excited to join the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel team from the very beginning of their journey and look forward to growing with them through the series of prosperous and victorious tournaments to come."
"We are absolutely thrilled that Lycamobile has joined the Limacol Caribbean Premier League franchise family," said Damien O'Donohoe, CEO of the CPL. "We think that the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel franchise, indeed the League itself, is a good fit for Lycamobile because both parties embrace the values of hard work, tenacity in achieving its goals and delivering a quality product of the highest standard. We trust that this partnership will be the catalyst for Lycamobile to establish its brand in the region, and expand operations into a very profitable market."
The partnership also involves a minority ownership of Empire Media Group which boasts a number of high profile entertainment clients and, with Chairman Jon Talarico, looks to ensure a strong partnership.
Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and shareholder of the LCPL commenting on the sponsorship said, "The response from the corporate sector in Trinidad & Tobago has been fantastic and we are greatly encouraged that people share the vision and see the potential for this incredible tournament."
Red Steel Team Manager Colin Borde believes this new development bodes well for the future of the team.
"A new owner of the magnitude and global experience such as Lycamobile sends a clear message that the LCPL, and by extension the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, is viewed as a vibrant, professional and progressive unit," said Borde. "This can only benefit all parties in this new age of technology and branding. Red Steel is proud to be part of this new and expanded vision as this can only be good for the development of local and regional cricket."
The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premiere League T20 tournament begins on Tuesday July 30 and concludes on Saturday, 24 August.
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel's first match takes place on Wednesday, 31 July in Guyana against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the first match at Queen's Park Oval will take place on Wednesday 7 August when the Red Steel take on the Jamaica Tallawahs. Trinidad & Tobago will also host the semi-final and final matches.
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