A Prime Minister, Cricket World Cup's head, legends of the game and a top journalist have applauded the initiative announced by Texan investor Allen Stanford to help revive the game in the West Indies with an accent on winning the World Cup. Stanford announced on Monday a US$28 million investment package which will involve a 20/20 tournament between 17 regional countries and a Stanford Super Stars series which will feature a select side taking on an international team. The venue for the events will be the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua and they will take place between August and November next year. The winner of the 20/20 competition will pocket US$1 million, while the winner of the match involving the Super Stars will receive US$5 million. Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer called it a "revolutionary" and "ambitious" move by Stanford. "This is a major development for cricket in the Caribbean. It is a major development for the Caribbean. It will be taking Caribbean cricket to the next level. We exist in a world where things are changing. If we are going to be successful things have to change," said Spencer after he was asked to comment on the governments' role. He said while the governments "might have the desire (to do something) there are difficulties (that will prevent them from doing so)." Chris Dehring, the managing director and chief executive officer of the International Cricket Council's Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc, described the initiative as "a very exciting and historic day" for West Indies cricket. Congratulating Stanford for his "foresight and vision", Dehring said the involvement of the creation of the Caribbean All Star team "is not a new one", but the "timing is an excellent precursor for Cricket World Cup 2007." The Jamaican banker said the creation of the 20/20 league "sends a message that cricket is alive and well in the Caribbean." Former great opening batsman Desmond Haynes, who like his Test partner Gordon Greenidge is a member of the board of directors, said he will encourage the West Indies Cricket Board to support the plan. "This venture will be the right build-up to Cricket World Cup 2007," said Haynes, who represents Barbados on the WICB. Former WICB president Wes Hall also endorsed the initiative and said each participating country will benefit financially. Hall compared Stanford's investment to the lack of funds Windies cricket does not receive from overseas tours. "Money is analogous to manure. It is not effective unless it is spread around," said the legendary fast bowler who said he argued against the International Cricket Council's future tours programme which is forcing the West Indies to compete against teams at home which cannot attract healthy gate receipts. Respected international writer and commentator Tony Cozier said Stanford's investment should have ripple effects in the Caribbean. "Private enterprise will see this as a catalyst and start to sponsor regional cricket. This will certainly energise the rest of the Caribbean. I think it will even embarrass the rest of the Caribbean private sector," said Cozier. He also alluded to the un-sponsored President's Cup regional one-day tournament which bowled off on Monday as an example of the lack of support West Indies cricket has been receiving in recent times. Stanford said the support of the authorities, public and the teams will guarantee that the competition is held on an annual basis. "It is up to the public, governments and teams to ensure that the tournament is a success so that it could continue," he added. Recalling the greatness of the legends assembled to advise him, Stanford is of the view that the region still has "the best athletes in the world." Reprinted from jamaicaobserver.com