Usain Bolt Joins Chris Gayle As Ambassadors For T20 World Cup Cricket

Clockwork producer Usain Bolt has joined his sporting and Dancehall compatriot, Chris Gayle, as an ambassador for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 tournament, which is set to be held jointly in the West Indies and the United States.

The International Cricket Council made the announcement today, and has also premiered a video advertisement with Bolt, who was a cricketer at William Knibb Memorial High School before switching to track, and Gayle, who is now a Dancehall recording artist, taking jabs at each other over who was faster on the track and on the pitch.     

“For me it is going to be exciting.  I think it is good for the exposure of cricket also for into the US.  The T20 now is going to be in the US, so for me it’s good for the sport, to let people see worldwide how fun it is and how enjoyable and just how exciting it is.  Because at times just calculated move so it’s going to be great,” Bolt said in a TVJ Sports interview.

As an ICC ambassador, the Trelawny native will play a key role in promoting the tournament, beginning with an appearance in next week’s release of the music video for the competition’s official anthem, alongside Dancehall superstar Sean Paul and Trinidadian artist Kes.

The Country Boys artist and eight-time Olympic gold medallist will also attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies, as well as participate in fan engagement events to promote cricket within the US.

“I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.  Coming from the Caribbean where Cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart, and I am honoured to be part of such a prestigious tournament.  I look forward to bringing my energy and enthusiasm to the World Cup and contributing to the growth of cricket globally,” Bolt is also quoted as saying in an ICC release.

According to the ICC, cricket’s governing body, Bolt also believes cricket can prosper in the US and “make a long-term impact in the market on the back of a successful T20 World Cup.”

“America believes a lot in sport and high intensity and for me to get into that market is big.   When they follow a sport, they follow a sport properly and they go all in and I feel like if they can crack into it, they will get into it the right way.   If we bring energy like I know we will for the T20 (World Cup) it is going to be wonderful,” he said.

Just over a week ago, the ICC announced that Sean Paul and Kes would team up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Official Anthem.

The ICC had said that the track, produced by San Fernando-based Michael “Tano” Montano and described by Sean as a “real anthem for people to sing out and feel the spirit of unity,” was set for an official premier “in the coming weeks” ahead of the competition.

According to the ICC’s match fixtures, the competition will begin with co-hosts USA taking on neighbors Canada on June 1, while the WINDIES will take on Papua New Guinea in Guyana on the second day of group play.

A total of three venues in the United States and six in the West Indies will be used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

According to the ICC, “10 of the 20 teams will play their first match of the 29-day tournament in the USA, with 16 contests to be held in Lauderhill, Dallas and New York and the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island on 9 June”.  

A total of 41 matches will be played in the Caribbean across six different islands, with semi-finals in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana and the title decider scheduled to be played in Barbados on 29 June.