‘ExxonMobil GSL has ruffled some feathers.’ – President Ali

…Expresses intention to lobby for an Olympic cricket spot

The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 is here to stay and is ready to collaborate with the big players in the cricket world.
These were only some of the declarations made by Guyanese Head of State Irfaan Ali, who passionately spoke of the evolving vision of the GSL T20 and its intention to cement its ’place on the world stage.
On Tuesday evening, President Ali graced the Tribe Gastronomic Lounge in Georgetown for the ExxonMobil GSL welcome party, where, in an ensuing interview with media operatives, the Head of State highlighted that the event is more than just about cricket.
“This tournament is more than Guyana now; this is an international tournament. When we launched this tournament, the objective was not just cricket; the objective was positioning Guyana as a major sports destination, as a leader in entertainment and sports, and cricket is a natural part of that positioning. In the coming years, I want us to ensure that we position Guyana in football and basketball because the development that will take place here and the ecosystem that is being built must be supported by events and must be supported by a structure that allows a continuous flow of people.” The Head of State explained.
President Ali asserted, “So, the Global Super League is not just about cricket. This is about economics, this is about business, this is about tourism, this is about bringing people together, it’s about positioning Guyana globally, and it’s about making our mark in the cricketing world and creating this product that is global in nature.”

However, the Head of State has taken notice that the GSL T20 may be ruffling feathers across the globe, given the reported resurgence of the T20 Champions League.
He divulged to media operatives, “You know, if you look at the cricketing news from around the world, Saudi Arabia is trying to get a super league. I just saw the English cricket board and the Indian cricket board trying to come up with a partnership to get the Champions League going again. Now, that tells you something; that tells you that the Global Super League has ruffled some feathers, and I have no problem saying that.”
“But I believe the Global Super League’s success lies in partnership; that is why we’ll be reaching out to the Indian Cricket Board, the English Cricket Board and every other cricket board because the West Indies is not the home of cricket; the West Indies is the home of exciting cricket. The West Indies brand of cricket has reshaped the cricket experience, and in today’s sporting world, it’s not only about the game; it is the holistic experience behind the game, and that is what we’re bringing to the table here.”
“The Indian Cricket Board and the English Board announcing that they’re going to partner on the Champions League, I would’ve loved for them to say that they recognise what the Global Super League is because they do. It has ruffled feathers, there is no doubt about it; this Super League has been ruffling feathers in the cricketing world, and instead of trying to centralise power around cricket for the big boards, it’s time for the big boards to reach out to Guyana, the West Indies Cricket Board, and say, ‘You guys have developed something good. How are we going to partner? ’ It cannot be cricket politics,” Ali passionately shared.
As such, President Ali declared that the ExxonMobil GSL is here to stay.
He boldly declared, “The Global Super League is not only here to stay; the Global Super League is here to ruffle feathers and let the global cricketing world understand that this is something that will be part of our cricketing future, and all of our cricketing future, and all of us have to get on board behind it.”
Quizzed about whether or not he believes the GSL T20 can compete with the Champions League, President Ali clarified that he is more concerned about collaboration than competition.
“I’m not looking at competition; I’m looking at collaboration,” Ali emphasised.
“I’m hoping that India and the English cricket board will see that something came up in the absence of the Champions League that they need to embrace. The Global Super League is the Global T20 tournament, and it must be embraced. We might be small, but we’re going to fight for it; we’re going to make a lot of noise about it, and the West Indies Cricket Board must be part of that noise.”
Turning his attention to another issue, Ali disclosed, “Look at what is going to happen with the T20 at the Olympics. I’m going to create a lot of noise about this because I’m not seeing the criteria of how teams will be selected for that Olympics, and these are the things we have to start thinking about because cricket is not just about the sport. Cricket is about an entire ecosystem.”
Reports earlier this week indicated that the Champions League T20 would likely return in 2026, rebranded as the World Club Championship with the champions of each T20 franchise tournament competing.
Meanwhile, the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20 will bowl off today with a double header. At 10:00 hrs, the Dubai Capitals and Central Stags will get the tournament going, while at 19:00 hrs, defending champions Rangpur Riders and hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors will clash in a blockbuster matchup, both at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).