ORGANIZERS for Global T20 Canada have agreed to move the championship to a new venue in the City of Brampton.
After completing its inaugural season in King’s City in 2018, Bombay Sports Company Ltd formally Mercuri Canada, the league organizers evaluated the impact of hosting the event in a more central location and listened to the feedback of the cricket fans.
In collaboration with the City of Brampton and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown the decision was taken to move the 2019 edition to west of Toronto and into the heart of the cricket loving community from July 25-August 11.
Brown who was present at the conference said: “I’m proud to say that Brampton is hosting the GT20 Cricket Tournament this year. As a healthy and safe city where cricket is especially popular, Brampton is an ideal location for this renowned event. We invite local, national and international audiences to attend what is sure to be a thrilling tournament this summer.”
Brampton has a largely immigrant population; individuals who have played the game or casual fans. Weekly, thousands of weekend warriors participate for local clubs across the city. The Brampton Etobicoke District League and others facilitate matches for thousands across the multiple venues.
“We thank the mayor for his vision and interest in having Brampton host GT20,” said Karan Kohli, son of GT20 financer Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah. “To deliver this tournament to the city of Brampton and Canada as a whole will not only bring joy to the fans but opportunities for local businesses and vendors.”
According to Brown, bringing GT20 to Brampton and furthering developing the fields in the City is delivering on a campaign promise.
“Brampton has the biggest cricket fans in Canada,” Brown said. “Just a few weeks ago we saw the Indian Premier League finals and fans in Brampton stayed up to the early hours to watch the finals. That’s how passionate our fans are.”
Brown added, “The City of Brampton has committed to more cricket infrastructure development in the city, currently two existing venues are getting lights and we are in discussions on the feasibility of a multi purpose complex that includes a cricket stadium.”
While the exact location for the competition is still being finalized, Tournament Director Jason Harper used the opportunity to highlight the benefits the tournament brings to the city and inform the media about the global interest generated by the event.
“To date almost 1,100 cricketers from across the globe have registered for our player draft,” Harper said. “This shows that Canada is a preferred location for the world’s best players and is a sought-after destination. “
Harper also announced the addition of a sixth unnamed franchise, replacing the Cricket West Indies B team that participated in 2018 and finished runners-up.
In 2018, the Vancouver Knights led by West Indian icon Chris Gayle, defeated West Indies B in the final in front of a sold-out crowd at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King’s City.
GT20 also announced the launch of their name our mascot contest. This contest is open to the general public and will be on our social media and website until June 30. The winner of the contest will receive a flight for two to Europe with a three-night stay at a hotel on the organizers.
