Campbell

Paul Campbell, first vice-president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), will leave the island today en route to Ireland where he is expected to hold talks with officials of top International Cricket Council (ICC) European Associate and Affiliate member countries.

The trip, which will be centred on a visit to Ireland, will see Campbell working towards fostering a Cooperation Agreement between Jamaica, Ireland and other ICC European Associate member countries such as Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Scotland, in a bid to position Jamaica as premier cricket destination.

"I see the Associates (ICC member countries) as emerging markets and opportunities for us to develop our cricket," said Campbell. "Given what is happening in world cricket and IPL (Indian Twenty20 Premier League) we want to start attracting teams and players to our semi-professional league. We would also like to have our players being invited to participate in their leagues," he added.

Discussions

While in Europe, Campbell will hold discussions linking cricket to sport tourism, with a view of targeting the national and top teams to participate in tours commencing next year.

According to a release issued by the JCA yesterday, he will hold discussions on behalf of the JCA on the hosting of special cricket festival events and the provision of playing contracts and scholarships for young Jamaican players in Ireland and Europe.

Special guest

Campbell, who will also be a special guest of the International Cricket Union (ICU) at the ongoing ICC European Division One Championships and later the ICC 20/20 World Cup qualifiers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is expected to team up with the London-based office of the Jamaica Tourist Board for meetings with delegates of the Irish Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for fruitful discussions.

He is then expected to hop across to England to meet with chairman of Lashings Cricket Club, David Folb, regarding the revival of the Cricket Festival of Stars event with the Lashings World XI that started in 2006, but was halted after Folb was affected by health problems.

According to the JCA, the trip is part of continuous efforts to embark on a new paradigm shift in line with its Legacy Programme, coming out of the Caribbean's hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.