Sport
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week ending august 4, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Hollywood glamour comes to Limacol CPL, Mark Wahlberg on board with Barbados
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imacol Caribbean Premier League cricket officials announced that American actor Mark Wahlberg has taken an equity interest in the Barbados Tridents team. “I’m excited to be a part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League because I know cricket is huge in the Caribbean and a rich part of the region’s heritage,” said Wahlberg. “Sports and entertainment are a powerful combination, and the LCPL will appeal to a huge audience worldwide. Thanks to my dear friend Ajmal Khan who introduced me to Barbados and the LCPL, I am a cricket fan now. ” Wahlberg said he was also attracted to the youth development aspect of the LCPL which benefits the entire community as young men are encouraged to pursue their passions, stay
Mark Wahlberg and Ajmal Khan
focused and plan for their futures. Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and founder of the LCPL voiced his agreement. “Having Mark involved with the Limacol CPL is quite a coup for us. He brings a global celebrity appeal, which adds to the party atmosphere, and anticipation that is already building in these final days before the tournament begins. Having him as an ambassador of the greatest party in sport will indeed draw the attention of current and new cricket fans across the world, and we look forward to embracing a whole new generation of cricket fans in the U. S. thanks to Mark.” “We are thrilled that Mark has taken an equity interest in one of the Limacol CPL teams,” said Limacol CPL
Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe. “He is keen to promote the tournament in any way possible, and his fame and influence will definitely raise the profile of the tournament, and bring awareness of the game to an audience that traditionally has no connection with cricket. We’re excited to see the many ways in which this partnership will benefit both Mark and the LCPL,” he added. Wahlberg’s newest movie, 2 Guns, where he stars alongside Denzel Washington, comes out on 2 August. He is also known for his starring roles in films such as Boogie Nights, Planet of the Apes, The Departed, The Fighter and Ted, and has been the executive producer of several successful TV series including Entourage and Boardwalk Empire.
Chris Gayle
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hristopher Henry Gayle, born Sept. 21, 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica, known as Chris Gayle, the left handed West Indies opener, and as “Crampy” in his childhood Rollington Town neighbourhood, is one of the world’s most sought-after cricketers today. He is the world-record holder in Twenty20s, with a highest score of 175. He also created a number of world records in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and will be seen in action at the CPL slated from July 30 –Aug 24. According to cricinfo, over two seasons - 2011 and 2012 - of the IPL, Gayle easily became the most feared batsman of the league, smashing more hundreds and sixes than any other batsman, by far. When he carted Pune Warriors all over the ground to score an unbeaten 175 in IPL 2013, it felt right that he should finally own the record for highest individual score, fastest century, and most sixes in a Twenty20 innings, because no batsman has dominated Twenty20 cricket like he has. It is said that living near the historic Lucas Cricket Club in Jamaica played a role in the future West Indies captain opting for cricket, and he has always credited the club for keeping him off the streets. It was while representing Lucas that the young Gayle began to make his mark in the cricketing world. According to Indian Express, a notice board at Lucas is filled with papercuttings and pictures of its most eminent modern-day product. In his home town he is known simply as “da Boss”. You can watch da Boss in action during the Guyana leg of the CPL.