Four of the biggest stars in cricket landed in Canada on the weekend to promote an upcoming tournament, and to give a boost to Antigua and Barbuda tourism.
Sirs Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts and Viv Richards appeared at a lunch at the posh Albany Club in downtown Toronto on 11MAY in advance of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2024, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda and other countries in June.
The “Four Knights” boogied on the dance floor during a fabulous musical performance by a group called Spirited Band, and chatted up a crowd eager to hear about their legendary exploits on cricket pitches around the globe.
"There is no better time to come visit us in Antigua and Barbuda” said Tameka Wharton, Antigua and Barbuda Director of Tourism, Canada. “There is so much happening with cricket matches all summer long, romance month in June and Antigua Carnival in early August.
"On top of that Canadians can get to Antigua and Barbuda so easily with direct flights on Air Canada and WestJet, which is adding a mid-week Wednesday flight in June in addition to its standard Sunday flight.”
Canada is the third largest source market behind the US and the UK, respectively. Tourism officials say the number of Canadian visitors has been growing every year since the pandemic.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority said it will offer self-guided fams for travel advisors in August, as well as an “Independence Day” fam in October or November. Agents can apply on their travel advisor website.
The tourism board also is hosting several “Lunch 'N' Learns” in cities across Canada over the next few months, including Vaughan, Oshawa, Barrie, St. Catharine’s/Niagara Falls, Woodstock, Sarnia and Laval, Quebec. Click here to register your interest.
The Knights’ visit came at an exciting time for the future of cricket in Canada, as a growing South Asian and Afro-Caribbean diaspora continues to bolster the sport. Additionally, 2024 marks Canada's first time to play in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with Antigua and Barbuda set to host eight matches at its Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Some of the best West Indies cricket players ever, the Knights were treated like rock stars in Canada. They were mobbed at a dinner in Brampton on 10MAY. At the Albany Club event the next day, workers and the head chef came dashing out of the kitchen to meet the four sportsmen.
“This is such a thrill,” said Albany Club Executive Chef Jay Parhar. “When I was a little boy in India, they were some of my heroes.”
Antigua and Barbuda Consul-General Ann-Marie Layne caller her home "a country where cricket is deeply woven into the national tapestry.
“We have some of the Caribbean’s most warm and welcoming people,” she said. “We will welcome you like family.”
