JTB Hosts Farewell Party for Dutch Cricket Team in Netherlands Feb. 28

The Dutch team, which is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on March 2 for warm-up matches for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, will get a taste and feel of Jamaican vibes on February 28, when the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will host a farewell party for them at the House of the Sports in Nieuwegein near Utrecht in the Netherlands.
“This is their third time entering the Cricket World Cup (CWC) and while it may not be the biggest sport in the Netherlands, it is certainly of great significance for us [JTB] and our representative in the Netherlands, as it is a great opportunity to prepare the team for Jamaica,” Janice Allen, Destination Marketing Manager at the JTB told JIS News.
The team, she informed, would be feted to a special Jamaican evening, so that when they arrive in Jamaica, they would be prepared for what would be a wonderful time. “Hopefully the team will have a wonderful time at playing cricket too,” Miss Allen quipped.
Invitees include sport journalists from Dutch television, radio and magazines along with Royal Dutch Cricketing Association, the sponsor for the team, representatives from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, the Jamaican Consul in Holland and representatives from cricket clubs there.
“They will get a taste of our Red Stripe Beer and other Jamaican favourites. It is supposed to be a relaxing evening just for them before they head for Jamaica. There will also be lots of Reggae music,” Miss Allen said.
The Dutch team will play two warm-up matches at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. They will meet India on March 6 and play Kenya on March 8. Ticket prices for warm-up matches range between US$10 and US$40.
Then it will be on to St. Kitts and Nevis, where they will bowl off their ICC CWC 2007 campaign on March 16 against South Africa, then Australia onMarch 18 and Scotland on March 22 in Group A Stage matches.
Members of the Dutch team are: Luuk van Troost (Captain), Bas Zuiderent, Adeel Rajs, Peter Borren, Tim de Leede, Mark Jonkman, Alexei Kervezee, Mohammad Kashif, Darron Reekers, Edgar Schiferli, Jeroen Smits, Billy Stelling, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Daan van Bunge.