SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The Westmoreland Cricket Association’s (WCA’s) Twenty20 Cricket Knockout Competition 2010 received sponsorship of $250,000 from the Westmoreland Co-operative Credit Union yesterday at a press launch at the bank’s board room here.

In making the presentation, second vice-president, Atherine Lee, lauded the association’s president of 26 years, Cleveland ‘Danny’ Keddo, for his and the WCA’s many years of commitment to the development of the sport in the parish.

“This year has been the hardest for the country (economically) yet it is the best year in the history of the Westmoreland Co-operative Credit Union Limited and this is our way of saying thanks as we help develop communities through sport,” Lee said.

Keddo noted that the sponsorship covers 120 shirts (15 each for the eight teams), umpires’ fees, balls, maintenance of the Little London High School grounds (venue for all matches) throughout the competition, media coverage and promotion as well as prize money of $35,000 and $15,000, respectively, for the champions and runners-up.

“Additionally, associate sponsors Bedasee Sports of New York and Miami has donated two boxes of balls for the competition and two bats for the winning team, while local-based company Tents ‘n’ Events will provide PA system, music and tent at the final, scheduled for November 21,” Keddo said.

The WCA boss also revealed plans for the coming year, which include a 50 overs competition in February, a development programme for male and female players aged 15 to 19 years and a female Twenty20 competition.