Canadian Premier League T20 receives boost; four West Indian cricketers become co-owners

Ramdin and Bravo have become co-owners in the Canadian Premier League

The Canadian Premier League T20, which is set to be launched next year, has received a major boost with current West Indies Test and ODI captains Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin, batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul and opening batsman Kieran Powell signing deals that has made them co-owners in the newly set-up league.

The inaugural North American 10-team league tournament will begin in August 2015 and will consist of professional cricketers from Canada in addition to some of the biggest T20 superstars from around the world.

"I fully support the growth and development of international-calibre T20 cricket through the Canadian Premier League and the direction being taken by Roy Singh, the League's founder and CEO," Ramdin, who was recently appointed West Indies Test captain, said.

"Roy has the vision, determination and drive to make this League truly successful and sustainable and I am thrilled to be coming on board as part of such a pioneering venture for the North American market."

The management committee of the Canadian Premier League includes Singh, a successful Toronto-based entrepreneur who will serve as CEO and Chairman, and Chanderpaul whilst Bravo, Ramdin and Powell will serve as co-owners.

Meanwhile Bob Mitchell, former Toronto Star reporter, has been appointed President of the league and Emma Everett, managing agent to Bravo, Ramdin and Powell and Sir Richie Richardson, has been appointed as the Head of Global Player Operations. Everett’s role mainly entails recruiting some of the top T20 cricketers from around the globe.

"The Canadian Premier League is already creating waves of excitement within the international cricketing community," Powell said.

"What makes the League stand out is Roy Singh's brilliance and initiative in carving out a niche market in this region and ensuring that the business model surrounding his League is based on longevity that centres around a real passion for growth and development of the game.