Barras go red for SACA top league

 DIGICEL has become a strategic partner and title sponsor for the national cricket team for their South Australian Cricket Association Premier League tournament. 

The team will be named the Digicel PNG Barramundis. The deal was signed last Friday.

A K600,000 injection by the mobile phone company will help develop the sport through involvement in South Australian competition. 

The plan from Cricket PNG is to define a growth pathway for the sport in the country, which will see the body meet one of the key requirements outlined by the International Cricket Council. 

Digicel CEO John Mangos said the deal would allow the Barramundis to participate in the South Australia Cricket Association’s newly-formed Premier League. 

“Taking part in such a tournament will not only expose the PNG cricket to a higher level of competition, it will also help on a personal level by allowing our cricketers to experience a different culture,” Mangos said.

Cricket PNG general manager, Greg Campbell welcomed the gesture. 

“Cricket PNG is delighted to be associated with Digicel PNG.

“We (Cricket PNG) pride ourselves to be one of the leading sporting organisations on and off the field and are excited in the prospect of teaming up with a very successful organisation,” Campbell said.

The Premier League was created to develop cricket within South Australia. The Barramundis are one of six teams in the league. The best cricketers from this tournament are selected to play in the West End Redbacks and the Adelaide Strikers – two world class teams. 

The Barramundis are currently ranked 19th in the world and are the current champions in East Asia Pacific.