This big news accompanied Friday’s marketing-campaign launch for the global tournament, with the rallying tagline and jingle ‘Be There’ being rolled out across the host nations – Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago – and globally via social media and other digital platforms.
However, in the wake of COVID-19, Cricket West Indies has stipulated that fans should visit www.u19cwc.com/tickets to get FREE tickets. This process will allow organizers to control the number of spectators attending.
“While there will be free entry, fans must get their tickets prior to match day and adhere to the relevant protocols,” stressed Tournament Director, Fawwaz Baksh.
“Regarding COVID-19, we will observe the national protocols when it comes to people attending large-scale events. If the Government and Ministry of Health officials say fans must be vaccinated, then so be it. If fans must have registered a negative test within a certain time period, before the match, then so be it. We are working with all four host governments to ensure a safe environment.”
Meanwhile, Regional Marketing Manager for the tournament, Chalita Rose, urged West Indians to heed the clarion call to ‘Be There’ for the 16-team cricketing blockbuster, featuring 48 matches in 23 days. He noted the key elements of the marketing campaign are designed to attract “the Caribbean public, and the world, to watch and support the future stars of cricket”.
“Headlined by an infectious, West Indian-flavoured jingle by Voice – a young, popular soca artiste from Trinidad – the ‘Be There’ campaign has strong visuals. We are highlighting former West Indies under-19 players who have evolved into international stars,” he revealed.
“We have Alzarri Joseph from Antigua and Shimron Hetmyer from Guyana; both members of the West Indies victorious Under-19 World Cup team in 2016, with Hetmyer as captain. We also feature Jayden Seales from Trinidad who was in the Under-19 Team of the Tournament in 2020 and is now playing Test cricket. So, our campaign shows Under-19 cricket as the pathway to success.”
The marketing blitz, spearheaded by Trinidad-based advertising agency, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi, will see advertisements across all media, billboards and giant cricket bats sprinkled across host countries; wide-ranging digital promotions, as well as social-media endorsements by regional influencers. There will also be interviews with key tournament officials by diverse media.
In the coming weeks, fans will see more of the ‘Be There’ momentum, with activations throughout the host nations, including a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative geared to youth, promotional giveaways and the unveiling of match-day sportainment plans to enhance this exciting tournament.
With just 50 days to go until the start of the global cricket spectacle, production is in full swing for the track that will reverberate around the world when 20 international teams come together across the Caribbean and United States from June 1-29. The anthem is being produced by Michael “Tano” Montano and will be launched in the coming weeks, together with the music video, which will feature cameos from several well-known superstars.
Grammy-award winning artist Sean Paul expressed delight to be working on the project.
“Cricket has always been a major part of our culture, so I'm honoured to record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup. I'm a big fan of Kes and the track will feature a nice touch of the Caribbean, with some dance, to an international vibe and of course Soca - it will be a real anthem for people to sing out and feel the spirit of unity," he shared.
Soca superstar Kes, whose given name is Kees Dieffenthaller, echoed similar sentiments.
"Our mission has always been about bringing worlds together, so blending cricket, (dear to us in the Caribbean), with music is a powerful combination. Shoutout to Sean Paul, Tano, and the whole team for creating this musical vibe. Can't wait for everyone to sing along to this worldwide anthem and bring the party to stadiums across the West Indies and USA," Kes noted.
The anthem will add to the excitement that has been building since the World Cup trophy tour launch in New York. The Caribbean leg of the trophy tour continued in Barbados on Friday.
Claire Furlong, ICC's General Manager, Marketing and Communications welcomed the excitement around the tournament.
“Excitement is building towards the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with the first match between USA and Canada starting in just 50 days' time at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. We are delighted to have two globally recognised artists who are at the top of their genres in Sean Paul and Kes produce our tournament anthem, which will set the tone for the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever. Fans can expect a song that will reflect the Caribbean identity, while retaining universal appeal for global cricket fans, themed around the event’s marketing campaign ‘Out of this World’," Furlong shared.
Meanwhile, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh concurred.
"The upcoming launch of the official tournament anthem led by Grammy Award winner Sean Paul and Soca icon Kes comes as we get ready to launch party-stand tickets which is something fans have been eagerly awaiting. Adding to the already hyped excitement, the World Cup trophy tour is now in the Caribbean and people from all walks of life are looking forward to seeing the coveted trophy in person. It’s an exciting time in the West Indies and USA and we are looking forward to welcoming fans from around the world to be part of an out of this world T20 World Cup experience," Baksh said.
The ICC's announcement of the artists to feature on the official anthem comes as party-stand tickets for World Cup matches are also set to go on sale on April 15, at tickets.t20worldcup.com, with prices starting at just US$25. General tickets are also available for purchase on the ticketing website and will be available at box offices across the Caribbean when they open in the coming weeks.
Party-stand tickets will be available for all matches across the Caribbean, including those for the Group Stage, Super 8, semi-finals and final. Additionally, limited hospitality package options are available for all matches across the West Indies. In the USA, packages to all eight matches in New York, including for India v Pakistan on June 9, are now available to purchase.
Speaking in the aftermath of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) announcement of the host venues and match schedule for the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022, he noted it would not have been possible for the Caribbean to hold the event without important government guarantees.
Citing tax waivers, upgrading cricket infrastructure, and collaborating with hotels to ensure accommodation for all 16 teams, match officials and support staff, Baksh revealed regional governments are investing substantial efforts and resources in the tournament which will leave a major cricketing legacy while boosting host economies.
“A number of community clubs and grounds will benefit from enhanced cricketing infrastructure after this event. Of course, there will also be a welcome financial impact in host territories, in terms of hotel bookings, transportation, catering, and the hiring of temporary staff,” he added.
Baksh also lauded the visionary enthusiasm with which host venues readily embraced the U19 event which will be held in the West Indies in January-February 2022.
“When Cricket West Indies voiced its aspirations of hosting the Under 19 Cricket World Cup, regional governments were immediately receptive to the idea, especially from a developmental perspective. This is an opportunity for our youth – and fans in general – to see young men engaged in positive, healthy competition; many of them en route to becoming future stars in international cricket. It’s a great way to inspire boys and also girls across the West Indies, showing what is possible with discipline and dedication.”
The U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Tournament Director pointed out, will continue the West Indies’ stellar tradition of staging the sport’s premier events.
“Since 2007, when the West Indies historically hosted the Men’s Cricket World Cup in nine countries, we have distinguished ourselves in rolling out the red carpet for world-class cricket events. We held the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups jointly in 2010 and, most recently, the women’s T20 World Cup in 2018,” he said.
“We are proud of these achievements, and the cadre of home-grown professionals which we now have in sport-events management.”
The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 takes place in Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago, from January 14 to February 5, 2022, featuring 16 participating nations in 48 matches.
Host team, West Indies, start their title quest on January 14 against Australia at Guyana National Stadium while reigning champions, Bangladesh, begin their defence versus England on January 16 at Warner Park, St. Kitts.
