And Still I Rise

Another cricket storm is brewing as Wednesday's One Day Intl match between West Indies and Pakistan nears.Carib Brewery- a Trinidad and Tobago company, brewers of Carib Beer, sponsor of the regional four day cricket tournament has been granted 'pouring rights' for Wednesday's match.

The situation has sparked off heated discusion around the island with a group calling itself "Supporters of local Vincentian products" issuing a statement calling the action "wrong" and a "travesty of unfair play".

However, President of the SVGCA Julian Jack, said the granting of pouring rights is a contractual arrangement between Carib Brewery and the WICB.Jack summed up the situation as "unfortunate" but said the rights of the sponsors must be respected.

Linked to the granting of exclusive rights to companies, Jack said the WICB is aware of the possibility of ambush marketing, that advertising of rival beer companies will not be permitted at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. This he said extended to the wearing of jerseys and other paraphernalia of opposing brewers.

Other repercussions from the granting of pouring rights to Carib means that the St Vincent Brewery will not be able to operate its usual party stand.The stand has now been renamed the Carib Party Stand and apparently non alcoholic drinks made by the Brewery will not be sold at the ground unless permission is granted.This is because Bottlers StV Ltd are local distributors of Carib and Pepsi,the official soft drink of West Indies cricket.

The ever popular word-boycott is even making the rounds.But,I don't expect anything to come of it given the cheap ticket prices.Finally,somebody matching prices relative to the product.