West Indies: Windball cricket Disney-bound

West Indies cricket is going to Disney World.

Not the 'big boys' that is, but the Millenium West Indies Windball Cricket Festival, will be staged from June 8-11 at the Disney Wideworld of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Under the slogan One Cool Game, the tournament was unveiled yesterday by sponsors British American Insurance and is expected to attract between 500 and 600 players from the Caribbean, United States and Canada for a festive weekend with high entertainment value, lots of colour and fun.

Tony Hartford, one of the chief organisers through his company All Sports Promotions, suggested that the move to North America was done to celebrate the 10th anniversaryofthefunfilled event.

'Studies have showed that the tournament can pump US$250 000 into an island in just a weekend,' Hartford said at a reception at Island Inn.

'Then you may ask why we are going to Disney. It's out tenth anniverasry and we think that deserves a celebration. Also Disney is the world capital of fun and the tournament is expansionary by ambition, so we aim to make the most of our trip to the new ultra-modern Wideworld of Sports Complex.'

The new venue also affords the tournament the opportunity to take a trip into a new frontier. While it is in progress the West Indies team will also be touring England and highlights from Disney will be televised on Channel 4 during lunch and tea breaks in the Test matches.

A documentary on the Disney's Wideworld of Sports will be filmed to be aired on ESPN of which the windball will be a part, and there will also be the opprtunity for the sport to win new converts, as it will be part of the wider marketing for people visiting the Magic Kingdom.

The competition will be divided into four categories - Bowling Men, Throwing Men, Women, and Fun/Makers. At present the total prize purse is US$21 000.

Brian Branker, chief operating officer at the Trinidad office of British American, said his company was again pleased to be part of the rapidly-growing tournament.

He said windball cricket had been a nursery for many West Indian cricketers and served as a perfect avenue to keep youth off the streets and provide a playground for them to display their talents.