By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– The Royal Beach Casino has renewed its monetary contribution to the St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots team, increasing the amount given last year.
On the morning of Friday 28th July, President of the Royal Beach Casino, Ugo Gagliardi presented a cheque in the amount of US$ 36,000 to the captain of the Caribbean Premier League Twenty 20 (CPLT20) tournament, Carlos Brathwaite during a handing over ceremony held at the Sky Ultra Lounge housed inside the casino located at the St.Kitts Marriott Resort in Frigate Bay.
This stands an increase of US$8,500 to last year’s cheque which was us$27,500.
Speaking to reporters Chief Operating Officer of the franchise and Team Manager Richard Berridge spoke about how essential such a lump sum contribution is.
“We need these sort of sponsorships because when you look at the players’ salary caps along which is US$8, 000 so it shows you the sort of money we need to keep the show running.”
He also talked about the significance of getting partners on board.
“We’re very happy to continue our partnership with the Royal Beach Casino. They came onboard. They came on board the first year; we are going into our third year now. For this product to sustain itself long term, we have to partner with not only local companies but global brands as well to take advantage of the platform that is created with CPL so we are very happy for this partnership being renewed and we look forward to solidifying it.”
In speaking with this media house, Gagliardi explained that the value of the company’s contribution exceeds the financial figure.
“From a monetary standpoint it’s a US 36,000 that we’ve contributed…but it’s more of what it represents; one- as a sporting event and 2- as working with an organisation like the Patriots; I was very impressed with Richard, his administrative team mates (and) the team members and so for us it was a very easy decision to make and I think this thing has a platform to grow and grow.”
Gagliardi went on to talk about cricket being the type of sport that can motivate Caribbean nationals.
“As the (Sports) minister (Hon. Shawn Richards) said this is the type of example of aspiration for young people in the Caribbean, both me and women. Sometimes in St.Kitts or in the Caribbean (on a whole), people are looking at American stars but you have your own homegrown talent and a beautiful sport in cricket which internationally is well- represented perhaps not necessarily in North America. So you have all of these young people who can have a future in professional sports as well everything else. So for us that’s the key.”
PHOTO: Chief Operating Officer of the St.Kitts & Nevis Patriots franchise and Team Manager Richard Berridge(Left) and , President of the Royal Beach Casino, Ugo Gagliardi sign documents during the ceremony