St Lucia renames stadium in honour of Sammy

ST LUCIA: The Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia will be renamed as the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, following West Indies’ dramatic World Twenty20 title win in India.

The announcement was made in St Lucia at a welcome reception organised by the prime minister Kenny D Anthony to honour locals Darren Sammy and Johnson Charles. In addition to the stadium’s name change, one of the stands will be renamed in honour of Charles, who is also due to a receive a plot of land.

“I am truly honoured, I am humbled and blessed,” Sammy, who became the only captain to win the World T20 twice, said. “Thank you, we always know St. Lucians love their own and the love and respect and admiration I have just received at the airport, oh my God, thank you very much”.

The Beausejour Stadium, situated on the outskirts of the tourist resort area of Rodney Bay, has hosted international matches since 2002. In 2006, the stadium became the first ground in the West Indies to stage a floodlight ODI when Zimbabwe were the visitors. The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000 including 18 hospitality suites and a modern pavilion that offers each team its own gym, lounge, balcony and conference room.