Hundreds of cricket fans from across the world are expected to converge in Grenada for the first-ever Virgin Holidays Grenada Cricket Classic Festival from March 26-27 at the Queen's Park National Sports Stadium.

The two day event will feature some of the best ex-test players like Englishmen, Allan Lamb, Phillip DeFreitas, Devon Malcolm and Derek Underwood and West Indians Curtley Ambrose, Richie Richardson and Courtney Walsh. Among others.

A release from the organisers said that the "Classics", was the brainchild of Lamb himself and county cricketer Nigel Felton
with a view to providing additional attraction in Grenada in light of its sports-tourism concept.

The local media, sponsors and cricket enthusiasts were addressed on the upcoming event at a press briefing held last week Wednesday at the Rex Grenadian hotel by Felton.

He said that the idea to put on the "attractive event" was formulated sometime last year and discussions were held between officials of the Grenada Board of Tourism (GBT) and Lamb's UK-based Grenada Sports Limited, a sports promotion company.
According to Felton, close to 200 persons from the UK have already indicated that they will be coming to Grenada for the event and he believes that more people will actually turn up for the games.

He said that cricket fans will get an opportunity to meet and see some of the world's best cricketers over the years in action once again. Lamb who also addressed the press briefing said he was very excited about the upcoming event especially as a number of international cricketers have expressed their willingness to be a part of the "classics'.

He said that both games will be thirty five (35) overs a side and commended local sponsors like Cable and Wireless, Grenada Breweries Ltd, Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) and De La Grenade Industries and others for coming on board to ensure that the "Classics" was successful and exciting.

"The classics is here to stay and will remain in Grenada and by doing that we are creating a destination for people to come to the island....", he added. Lamb was confident that the event will boost Grenada's tourism sector and that the local people and hotel sector in particular will receive tremendous benefits.

The former text batsman noted that over the years, many people in England visited Barbados and other Caribbean islands to take part in their respective sports tourism ventures.

This, he said is Grenada's opportunity to take full advantage of a "great event" and make the Spice Isle a famous sports tourism destination. Grenada's Director of Tourism William Joseph expressed his support for the "classics" and commended the organisers for creating such "a wonderful event" which he believes will bring several visitors to the island and further market Grenada as a major tourist destination.

According to Joseph, the Board of Tourism (GBT) is entrusted with marketing Grenada generally and one of the ways they have been doing so is by marketing the island as a destination for sports tourism.

He sees the Lamb initiative with the "cricket classics" as a positive move that will assist the board in showcasing Grenada.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Veda Bruno-Victor said it was good to see something which was only a "casual conversation" five years ago being developed into a wonderful thing for Grenada.

Victor said that the ministry is working closely with the various stakeholders to ensure that the facilities on the island are up to "scratch" for the upcoming event. She indicated that the nation's young people are excited about the upcoming event and looking forward to it.