The 2008 SP Super Series competition started off with a colorful opening ceremony as the four teams lead by the Kila Kila Police Barracks band paraded around the Amini Park before assembling in front of the Cricket Haus for the official opening.
The four teams sponsors Brian Bell, Steamships Hardware, Trukai and Telikom were went to Amini Park as early as 8am with the players showing that they were serious about winning their first Twenty-20 match.
After the opening prayer and blessing of the tournament, SP Brewery marketing manager Tzao Shen Tan who stood in for general manager Stan Joyce, in his opening address congratulated the Papua New Guinea Cricket Board for implementing new initiatives to better the standard of the tournament.
âIn 2007 teams were structured according to their geographic areas such Port Moresby, Kimbe and Central teams.
âThis year teams were selected by the cricket national national selection panel creating four evenly matched teams named according to the teams sponsor.
Tan said it was pleasing to know that the duration of the 2008 SP Super Series will be 11 weeks of cricket as opposed to last years one week.
He said this would give the cricketers more competition and time and also allow the national selectors the opportunity to asses the progress of the players for better decisions on performance.
âTeam SP Brewery looks forward to watching the two different game formats of Twnety-20 and one day matches which are introduced in this year SP Super Series.
âWe appeal to all players, officials, supporters, friends and cricket family to ensure this 11 week tournament is a safe and trouble free one for the residents of Port Moresby to come and enjoy this great game,â
Tan also acknowledge the PNG Cricket Board under the chairmanship of Mick Nades and the management under the leadership of general manager Andrew Knott for the opportunity to once again support the SP Super Series.
PNG Cricket Board chairman Mick Nades when unveiling the format of the SP Super Series at Amini Park on Sunday said the competition will see many new features and an improved standard of competition in the country.
âIâm also proud to announce that this competition represents the boards foray into semi professional, for the first time our players and officials will be paid to play the game they love and are passionate about.
âWe believe that this will inspire our players, coaches, managers, umpires, officials, and administrators to new cricketing heights.
âI thank the major sponsor SP Brewery and our team sponsors, Brian Bell, Trukai, Steamships Hardware and Telikom for their generosity and support as we are trying many new concepts for the first time the support and trust demonstrated by these organizations is greatly appreciated,â Nades said.
PNG Cricket Board patron Sir Brian Bell also thanked major sponsor SP Brewery and four team sponsors for supporting the super series.
Sir Brian told the players to play in the true spirit of cricket and play a fairly and honestly.
Last Modified on 14/04/2008 14:26