CPL ticket sales off to marvellous start

Hero Caribbean Premier League, 2016

By Akeem Greene

The rush is on for tickets to the “Biggest Party in Sport” which heads to Providence for four matches beginning

Some of the merchandise on sale at the ticketing office
Some of the merchandise on sale at the ticketing office

July 7 with an evening clash between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs.

The sale of tickets for the Guyana Amazon Warriors home matches in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) commenced on Thursday at the spanking new ticket office at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown (the former TVG building) with several fans gathering to grab their tickets early.

Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Omar Khan in speaking to media operatives explained that patrons can expect an improved ticketing process due to the new features of the new location that will allow crowd control. The customer friendly location is also designed to eliminate the issue of flooding which inconvenienced fans in the previous years.

“Ticket sales have started this morning [Thursday], we have had a steady flow of patrons coming to get their tickets which is a good sign; people are asking calling and asking about tickets, all systems are in place from now until the start of the games”, the manager said.

Khan also revealed that as the time draws closer to the matches, there will be other ticket locations namely at the Guyana National Stadium. Moreover, system are being put in place to have ticket offices in Berbice and on the Essequibo Coast.

Ticket prices are $4,000. for the Red and Green stands; $ 3,000. for Orange Stand and $2,000. for the Grass Mound; fans are reminded that a maximum of ten tickets may be purchased by one per match and the choice of specific seating will depend on availability.

The ticketing office, also houses the merchandise store which has a variety of Amazon Warriors replica uniforms, cricket gears and many memorabilia. The clothing line include track suits, polo jerseys, round neck jerseys, v-neck jerseys, tank tops, training shirts, practice shirts, match shirts and long and short trousers are available in various sizes and colours. Amazon Warriors acrylic coins, caps and hats, umbrellas, flags, tea cups, i-phone cases, key rings and haversacks are also available.

The office is open from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs Monday to Friday while on Saturdays it functions from 09:00hrs to 14:00 hrs; as match days come nearer, Sundays are expected to be made available for the purchasing of tickets.

Match at high noon

What may be bewildering to some fans is the day match against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots which begins at 12:00 hrs on Saturday July 9, since the usually custom is to have the matches being played in late afternoon period into the night as is the case with the other three home fixtures.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors manager addressed the issue, stating that the prescribed time is to accommodate viewership by a larger than usual television audience especially in Europe and the Indian Sub-continent. Khan explained, “this game is being beamed throughout India, throughout Europe and other parts of Asia because the IPL [Indian Premier League] owners specifically requested that this game be held at this time so they can get a viewing audience in India; so it is an opportunity to sell Guyana and expose Guyana to the world.”

The Trinbago Knight Riders tem is currently owned by Kolkata Knight Riders franchise team owner, Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan while Barbados Tridents have ties with Royal Challenger Bangalore and Dr. Vidya Mallya.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will play four home matches beginning on 7 July against the Jamaica Tallawahs from 19:00 Hrs then, 9 July against the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

The popular “grudge match” between Guyana and Trinidad will occur on July 10 when they tackle the Trinbago Knight Riders from 19:00 Hrs and the final match on home turf is on July 12 against the St. Lucia Zouks from 19:00 Hrs.

The fourth edition of the tournament opens on June 29 when Trinbago Knight Riders host the St. Lucia Zouks at the Queen’s Park Oval from 21:00 Hrs.

The Amazon Warriors open their 2016 campaign on the road to the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park on Thursday June 30 at 20:00 Hrs. ([email protected])