International beach cricket doubtful?

International beach cricket doubtful?
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 8
Tourism Department’s ambitious International Beach Cricket Tournament scheduled later this month at Miramar is facing hurdles.
The Government is now finding it difficult to get sponsors in view of the forthcoming Cricket World Cup and the fourth edition of the IPL Twenty20.
With an eye on tourism, the Department had scheduled the International beach cricket tournament from January 27-29. The World Cup is scheduled between February and early April, whereas IPL-IV will begin immediately after the World Cup.
With the given situation, the Department may now be compelled to defer its schedule if it is unable to find sponsors in time.
Confirming this, Director of Tourism, Swapnil Naik said they were indeed finding it difficult to get sponsors due to the World Cup and the IPL and as a result had not started advertising the event.
Expecting to attract a large number of tourists, the Department had engaged an advertising agency which was negotiating with companies for sponsorship.
The budget for the event is around Rs 3 crore whereas the Government investment will be limited to Rs 20-25 lakh.
India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will participate in the tournament. However, the Department is still in the dark as to which players will be in action.
“World Cup winning veteran Sanath Jayasuriya is likely to participate while on Indian side, many ex-cricketers will form the team as most of the present lot are already committed to World Cup and other events”, Naik said.
There will be 2-3 matches every day which will be held in the evening. This is the first time an International beach cricket tournament is scheduled to be held in Goa.