Cricket Canada delighted with ICC approval for Global T20

New Delhi [India], February 22 (ANI): Canada's very own first franchise-based Twenty20 league, Global T20 Canada, was announced in the Indian National capital on Thursday.

The tournament is conceptualised, designed and managed by Mercuri Group with Cricket Canada, the official governing body for the sport in the country.

The league has also gained official sanction of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

With this announcement, Cricket Canada becomes the first Associate member of the ICC to set in motion a Twenty20 franchise league in the lucrative North America market.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in the final leg of his official Indian trip, participated in a promotional cricket event at a school in the Indian capital on Thursday.

Prime Minister Trudeau signed a bat wishing the Global T20 Canada all the luck on the sidelines of his visit to the school.

The Global T20 Canada will kick-off in July and will be played at three venues - Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, Sunnybrook Park and Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

Four Canadian local players will be present in every squad, with the rest being international players.

Cricket Canada has entered into a 25-year Master Licensing Agreement with Mercuri Talent Management Pvt Ltd.

This agreement covers not just the Global T20 Canada, but also investment in developing the grassroots for the sport in the country.

Cricket Canada president Ranjit Saini said, "Twenty20 Major League Cricket has the potential to change Canadian cricket forever. It is a great challenge and Cricket Canada is ready to deliver a resounding success. Canada is a great sporting country and event hosting and management skills exist in abundance. This event will not only be a great cricket experience, it will also help grow our tourism potential as a nation."

Founder and Group CEO of Mercuri Group, Sriram Bakthisaran stated, "We are absolutely delighted to partner with Cricket Canada to contribute directly to the success of cricket in Canada. Cricket is coming back home and we are only too delighted to play a part in it. We have a long-term vision and that also includes aiding in the development of a world-class Canadian national side. So it is not just about the league, but about the all-round development of the sport." (ANI)